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Aerodynamics:
Science of air in motion.
Angle of Attack (AOA):
The angle between the chord of the
wing and the relative wind that strikes the airfoil. The Angle of
Attack is independent of the attitude of the sailplane with respect
to the horizon.
Axis:
A line passing through a body about which the body
revolves.
Center of Gravity (CG):
Balancing point of an aircraft.
L/D:
Lift divided by drag expressed as a ratio. Essentially the
same as a glide ratio. Think of L/D as a glide slope, then, for a
given amount of distance the sailplane moves forward, it drops a
certain amount.
Minimum Sink:
The speed at which a sailplane loses altitude
most slowly. Usually expressed in feet per minute.
Penetrate:
To make progress against the wind.
Pitch:
Degree of nose up or nose down from level to the hori-
zon.
Relative Wind:
Direction that the air molecules strike the lead-
ing edge of the wing.
Span:
The maximum distance from wingtip to wingtip.
Stall:
Loss of lift resulting from exceeding the critical angle of
attack.
Thermal:
Rising body of hot air that can take a sailplane to a
great height.
Definitions
Summary of Contents for ULTRA aspire
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