Quote:
Originally Posted by twozs
a wing needs a certain amount of air flow over it to create LIFT
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Yes and no....your correct, but thats only half the reasons. The profile, AOA, and air speed are equal contributors. BUT the profile of a wing determines how much lift can be created, and the determines how that is distributed accost a wing section. If you have a wing thats profiled like a long teardrop and is fully symmetrical, it will be efficient at high velocity and allow lift to be achieved either upside down or right side up, making that Ideal for high speed fighters. A fully symmetrical tear drop profile that is more stout shaped, will allow for max lift at a lower velocity and create lift any orientation, making it ideal for prop engine stunt planes. An in betwine profile would be used for a pylon racer.
Asymmetrical wing sections create immense amounts of lift but only when they are right side up. These type of wings are used for Cargo, and ultra lights. Now the Mythbusters used an ultra light which has a stout wing section and is asymmetrical creating sufficient lift at very low speed.
AOA is angle of attack. that has more to do with props that wings but its the same principles at work.