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I know I've been doing alot but this is a burning question I have

59.7k PapaKernels  3.9 years ago

Ok so I know I can just look it up but I want the wisdom of the simpleplanes community to explain this to me, and when I get the answers I'll type em down each category, so here is what I want to know...

what is the difference between symmetric, semi-symetric, and flat bottom

Just give me a short crash course on it what it's all about as far as how it affects the flight if the plane and what is good about each.

symetric

I know it's good for aerobatics and when inverted helps with inverted flight. Low lift and drag.

semi-symetric

Medium amount of lift and drag

flat bottom

Higher lift with higher drag

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    7,446 FeiWu

    @PapaKernels I see some other people have answered your question. But most people don’t understand the uses for each kind of wing. But ChiChiWerx did make a post about the wings a few years back. I can’t find it now, and his explanation was complicated, so:
    Flat bottom creates the most lift and the most induced drag. This kind of airfoil has forgiving stall characteristics as well. Use this when low drag is not a priority, i.e. GA aircraft.
    Symmetric creates the least lift and even requires positive AoA to do so. It does have the least induced drag at 0* AoA (duh, I mean, induced drag only exists when lift is created). Its stall characteristics also have totally, absolutely nothing to be desired. Induced drag can get high when the AoA is high (i.e. when a lot of lift is needed). This may be a bad thing, but some planes (like the Concorde) use it to their advantage as an alternative to spoilers. This type of airfoil is used almost exclusively for the supersonic bois, for which high lift and a high critical AoA is not desired, but low drag is the utmost priority.
    Semi-symmetric takes the middle ground. It still creates a decent amount of lift at 0 AoA but still has less drag than the FB airfoil. Obviously, this type of wing is used for subsonic jets, which still fly fast (so they care about drag) but can still afford to (and sometimes need to) create some more lift.
    By the way, I have flown the C172 a few times irl, and fly A320s a lot in flight simulators at home. The two planes use the FB and SS type airfoils respectively. Believe me, there is a big difference, although for the most part it is not experienced in SP. There are subtle differences that most do not notice.

    Pinned 3.9 years ago
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    59.7k PapaKernels

    Oh one more thing I have started the primarily sketch for a professional profile pic. I would put in a picture but because I have horrible internet I cant upload it to the site I use so you just have to take my word on it for now. I've been trying for about 20 minutes now.

    Pinned 3.9 years ago
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    12.0k Skyler101

    I guess there is no way to favorite

    3.9 years ago
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    59.7k PapaKernels

    @xboxseriesx I dont care do what you want man!

    3.9 years ago
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    12.0k Skyler101

    Can I favorite this so i dont forget also how

    3.9 years ago
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    59.7k PapaKernels

    @FeiWu yep its alot of info that I couldn't transcribe very easily so better pin it

    3.9 years ago
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    7,446 FeiWu

    @PapaKernels thanks for pin btw

    3.9 years ago
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    7,446 FeiWu

    @PapaKernels @tsampoy AoA is “Angle of Attack”

    3.9 years ago
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    59.7k PapaKernels

    @FeiWu wow that is pretty good info thanks!

    3.9 years ago
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    33.5k tsampoy

    @PapaKernels Angle of Attack I’m pretty sure

    +1 3.9 years ago
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    59.7k PapaKernels

    @edensk ok what is AoA and thanks for the info.

    3.9 years ago
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    16.5k edensk

    made by JamesplanesII
    Basically, Flat bottom and semi-symmetric create lift even at 0 degrees AoA, while symmetric needs positive AoA to produce it. Flat bottom creates more drag than s-s, which is more draggy than symmetric. flat bottom has a higher critical AoA than s-s, which has a higher critical AoA than symmetric... and so on
    nacaprop can only be used through overload and is the airfoil the props in the game use

    +1 3.9 years ago
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    59.7k PapaKernels

    @FeiWu can you help I know you have more knowledge than me.

    3.9 years ago
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    @PapaKernels nope
    have no clue tf this is personally

    3.9 years ago
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    59.7k PapaKernels

    @WiiWiiTheMini
    Can ye help?

    3.9 years ago