Basic Aerodynamics 1: Forces of Flight, Airfoils and AOA

This lesson introduces basic aerodynamics including the four forces of flight, airfoils and their characteristics, principles of angle of attack and airplane attitude.

Basic Aerodynamics 3: Drag, Wing Terminology and Stalls

This lesson introduces the factors that create and affect lift; weight/gravity, and the principles of thrust as it relates to an airplane’s propeller.

Basic Aerodynamics 4: Flight Controls, Airplane Axes and Attitudes

This lesson introduces the different types of drag; the relationship between lift and drag; wing terminology; the principle of ground effect; the relationship between weight, lift and drag; and stalls and stalling speeds.

Basic Aerodynamics 5: Maneuvering Flight and Flight Loads

This lesson introduces high lift devices, the axes of rotation, aircraft attitude, primary flight controls and trim tabs as they relate to aerodynamic forces.

Basic Aerodynamics 5: Maneuvering Flight and Flight Loads

This lesson introduces forces that affect aircraft in climbs and turns.

Wake Turbulence

Large aircraft leave a “wake” of disturbed air behind them. Flying into this wake can be hazardous, especially for small aircraft. This lesson describes the wake turbulence mechanism, that factors that affect its strength and behavior as well as Pilot/ATC responsibility and techniques for avoiding wakes.