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Monday, October 26, 2026Ideas worth exploring. Knowledge worth sharing.
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Aerodynamics 2 min read

Shock Waves

WHAT IS A SHOCK WAVE? When an airplane travels less than the speed of sound, the air ahead of it…

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Aerodynamics 3 min read

Waves in the Air

WHAT HAPPENS AS AN AIRPLANE NEARS THE SPEED OF SOUND? As an airplane approaches the speed of sound, conditions around…

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Aerodynamics 2 min read

Vortex Drag

WHAT ARE THOSE WHIRLS OFF THE WING TIPS? The spirals of air that trail off the tips of an airplane’s…

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Aerodynamics 2 min read

Friction Drag

WHAT IS FRICTION DRAG? Friction is the resistance that happens when two things rub together—like air against an airplane. Friction…

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Aerodynamics 2 min read

Pressure Drag

WHY IS PRESSURE SUCH A DRAG? Air flowing past an object pushes harder against the front than the back. This…

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Aerodynamics 1 min read

Subsonic Wings

WHAT MAKES A WING WORK? Let’s use a wing to help get a better understanding of lift at subsonic speeds.…

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