[NSRCA-discussion] Airplane angle of attack

[J N Hiller]

It's been a while but as I remember I walked downhill going to the rear and
uphill going back to my seat.
Jim Hiller

-----Original Message-----
From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org]On Behalf Of Jeff Hill
Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2007 5:08 AM
To: NSRCA Mailing List
Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] Airplane angle of attack

This is a question about full size airplanes that has some
applicability to model design. We're talking about airliners that
have an essentially cylindrical fuse.

I'm having a debate with a friend at work about whether or not full
scale airliners fly slightly nose up. I claim they do he claims they
don't.

I claim they do because the airflow would be more stable about a
cylindrical body that was at a slight angle of attack, and that if
you make it nose up you also gain a little lift.

He claims that airliners fly with no AOA in the fuse because the last
thing a designer wants is lift from the fuse because lift generates
drag, the fuse is not a good shape for generating lift, and
consequently it isn't worth paying the drag penalty.

What do you all think?

Jeff Hill
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