The leading edge is the part of the wing that first contacts the air;[1][2] alternatively it is the foremost edge of an airfoil section.[3] The first is an aerodynamic definition, the second a structural one. As an example of the distinction, during a tailslide, from an aerodynamic point of view, the trailing edge becomes the leading edge and vice versa but from a structural point of view the leading edge remains unchanged.
Seen in plan the leading edge may be straight or curved. A straight leading edge may be swept or unswept, the latter meaning that it is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. As wing sweep is conventionally measured at the 25% chord line[3] an unswept wing may have a swept or tapered leading edge. Some aircraft, like the General Dynamics F-111, have swing-wings where the sweep of both wing and leading edge can be varied.
In high-speed aircraft, compression heating of the air ahead of the wings can cause extreme heating of the leading edge. Heating was a major contributor to the destruction of the Space Shuttle Columbia during re-entry on February 1, 2003.
Sail boatsedit
When sailing into the wind, the dynamics that propel a sailboat forward are the same that create lift for an airplane. The term leading edge refers to the part of the sail that first contacts the wind. A fine tapered leading edge that does not disturb the flow is desirable since 90% of the drag on a sailboat owing to sails is a result of vortex shedding from the edges of the sail.[4] Sailboats utilize a mast to support the sail. To help reduce the drag and poor net sail performance, designers have experimented with masts that are more aerodynamically shaped, rotating masts, wing masts, or placed the mast behind the sails as in the mast aft rig.
Referencesedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Leading edge (aircraft wings).
^Wragg, David W. (1973). A Dictionary of Aviation (first ed.). Osprey. p. 176. ISBN9780850451634.
^Crane, Dale: Dictionary of Aeronautical Terms, third edition, page 305. Aviation Supplies & Academics, 1997. ISBN1-56027-287-2
^ abcKumar, Bharat (2005). An Illustrated Dictionary of Aviation. New York: McGraw Hill. ISBN0-07-139606-3.
^Collie,S.J.; M.G. Gerritsen; M.J. O'Sullivan. (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 30, 2011. Retrieved December 10, 2011.
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leading, edge, other, uses, disambiguation, leading, edge, part, wing, that, first, contacts, alternatively, foremost, edge, airfoil, section, first, aerodynamic, definition, second, structural, example, distinction, during, tailslide, from, aerodynamic, point. For other uses see Leading edge disambiguation The leading edge is the part of the wing that first contacts the air 1 2 alternatively it is the foremost edge of an airfoil section 3 The first is an aerodynamic definition the second a structural one As an example of the distinction during a tailslide from an aerodynamic point of view the trailing edge becomes the leading edge and vice versa but from a structural point of view the leading edge remains unchanged Cross section of an aerodynamic surface with the leading edge emphasisedAmerican Aviation AA 1 Yankee showing the wing s straight leading edgeThe leading edge of the Buran space shuttle transported to the Technik Museum SpeyerOverview editThe structural leading edge may be equipped with one or more of the following Leading edge boots Leading edge cuffs Leading edge extensions Leading edge slats Leading edge slots Krueger flaps Stall strips Vortex generators Associated terms are leading edge radius and leading edge stagnation point 3 Seen in plan the leading edge may be straight or curved A straight leading edge may be swept or unswept the latter meaning that it is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft As wing sweep is conventionally measured at the 25 chord line 3 an unswept wing may have a swept or tapered leading edge Some aircraft like the General Dynamics F 111 have swing wings where the sweep of both wing and leading edge can be varied In high speed aircraft compression heating of the air ahead of the wings can cause extreme heating of the leading edge Heating was a major contributor to the destruction of the Space Shuttle Columbia during re entry on February 1 2003 Sail boats editWhen sailing into the wind the dynamics that propel a sailboat forward are the same that create lift for an airplane The term leading edge refers to the part of the sail that first contacts the wind A fine tapered leading edge that does not disturb the flow is desirable since 90 of the drag on a sailboat owing to sails is a result of vortex shedding from the edges of the sail 4 Sailboats utilize a mast to support the sail To help reduce the drag and poor net sail performance designers have experimented with masts that are more aerodynamically shaped rotating masts wing masts or placed the mast behind the sails as in the mast aft rig References edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Leading edge aircraft wings Wragg David W 1973 A Dictionary of Aviation first ed Osprey p 176 ISBN 9780850451634 Crane Dale Dictionary of Aeronautical Terms third edition page 305 Aviation Supplies amp Academics 1997 ISBN 1 56027 287 2 a b c Kumar Bharat 2005 An Illustrated Dictionary of Aviation New York McGraw Hill ISBN 0 07 139606 3 Collie S J M G Gerritsen M J O Sullivan Numerical simulation of the turbulent flow past upwind yacht sails PDF Archived from the original PDF on August 30 2011 Retrieved December 10 2011 nbsp This aviation related article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Leading edge amp oldid 1179660713, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
