23 WWW.GOFLY.ONLINE Y ONLI NE FLI GHT SCHOOL PRINCIPLES OF FLIGHT Factors affecting descent Rate of descent Rate of descent is altitude lost over time. The rate of descent in a light aircraft refers to the vertical speed at which the aircraftdescends towards the ground. It is typically measured in feet per minute. Angle of descent The angle of descent is the angle between the aircraft’s flight path and the ground. It is commonly expressed in degrees. Factors that affect descent rate and angle Power With airspeed constant, an increase in power will decrease the descent rate and descent angle. Airspeed For a selected power setting, an increase in airspeed will increase the rate of descent and descent angle. Flap configuration With a selected airspeed and power setting, the selection of flaps will increase both the rate of descent and the descent angle. Head wind A headwind will not affect the aircraft’s rate of descent but will increase the descent angle. Tailwind A tailwind will not affect the aircraft’s rate of descent but will decrease the aircraft’s angle of descent. Windshear Windshear can increase and decrease both rate of descent and angle of descent and varies depending on the direction and severity of the windshear. Bank angle For a fixed power setting and airspeed, bank angle will increase both the rate of descent and angle of descent. Altitude For a fixed power setting and airspeed, an increase in altitude will increase both the rate of descent and the angle of descent. Density altitude For a fixed power setting and airspeed, an increase in density altitude will increase both the rate of descent and the angle of descent. Turning Consider the forces acting on an aircraft in a balanced turn. G Force G force refers to the ratio of the total aerodynamic force (including lift) to the aircraft’s weight. It represents the amount of force experienced by the aircraft in flight compared to the force of gravity. Wing Loading Wing loading refers to the weight supported by each unit area of the wing’s surface. It is calculated by dividing the aircraft’s weight by its wing area. During a turn, the G force increases and this has the same effect as increasing weight, so therefore the wing loading increases.
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