Airfoil Question

by Tom
(Lockport, New York)

Let me see if I have this correct. If air moving over the top surface of the wing must travel a longer distance than the air under the wing, therefore it must be traveling faster than on the bottom of the wing.

This results in lowering the pressure on top of the wing giving us lift.

But if I reverse the wing making the trailing edge the leading edge I will not change the distance on the top of the wing leaving me with the same condition the aircraft have presently.

The plane should fly.

Right?

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Airfoil Question

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It's possible I guess...
by: Matt

It's possible that the plane could fly with the wings backwards. I guess it would depend on the plane and type of wing. I'm betting it wouldn't fly very well though, lol.

The airfoil is only one factor that determines the overall lift of the wing. The geometry, surface area, and overall shape is just as important as the airfoil.

The angle of attack is also an important factor.