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4 Answers

Lift in vertical climb

Asked by: 5583 views Aerodynamics

sir my question is why the lift is zero in vertical flight?

can you please explain me with the help of some formula or a diagram?

regards

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4 Answers



  1. Gary Moore on Oct 21, 2012

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lift_(force)

    this is a pretty good start….

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  2. Nathan Parker on Oct 21, 2012

    “sir my question is why the lift is zero in vertical flight?”

    If the pilot allowed the main wing to generate any lift during a vertical climb, you’d get a loop rather than a climb. So the answer to your question is that there is zero lift during a vertical climb because the pilot makes it happen.

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  3. Wes Beard on Oct 21, 2012

    Take the basic four forces in flight and turn it ninety degrees so that the engine is pointed straight up: everything turns except gravity which is always pointed towards the ground. In this situation, thrust is opposing gravity and drag while lift will cause the airplane to turn in a loop.

    Obviously you don’t want this so the pilot will keep the lift at a zero angle of attack. Remember angle of attack is defined as the angle between the chord line of the wings and the relative air. When the pilot does this correctly, they will be able to climb straight up. It takes a lot of thrust though to overcome both the weight of the airplane and the parasitic drag produced

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  4. Brian on Oct 23, 2012

    “Obviously you don’t want this so the pilot will keep the lift at a zero angle of attack.”

    Just a little nit picking Wes. Zero lift AOA very rarely is synonymous with zero AOA. Think angle of incidence and that the fuselage also generates some lift and you’re likely to conclude that zero lift AOA will most likely occur at some negative AOA for the main wing. As is usually the case.

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