Aerodynamic center

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The aerodynamic center of an airfoil moving through a fluid is the point at which the pitching moment generated by the airfoil is constant regardless of the angle of attack^[1], ^[2]. This is an aspect of aerodynamics. For symmetric airfoils the aerodynamic center is located at a distance equal to 1/4 of the chord from the leading edge of the airfoil. Thus, this point is referred to as the quarter-chord. For non-symmetric airfoils the quarter-chord is only an approximation for the aerodynamic center.

[edit] References

1. ^ Benson, Tom (2006). Aerodynamic Center (ac). The Beginner's Guide to Aeronautics. NASA Glenn Research Center. Retrieved on 2006-04-01.
2. ^ Preston, Ray (2006). Aerodynamic Center. Aerodynamics Text. Selkirk College. Retrieved on 2006-04-01.

[edit] See also

• Aircraft flight mechanics
• Flight dynamics