Aileron Airfoil Airline 
Pilot Institute
JUNE 4, 2025
Use of Reflex Airfoils Ever notice how many tailless aircraft have wings that curve at the trailing edge? This type of design is a reflex airfoil. The reflexed shape of the airfoil usually causes a positive (nose-up) pitching moment coefficient at its aerodynamic center. They combine the functions of elevators and ailerons.
Pilot Institute
JULY 11, 2025
For example, an airliner might indicate only 250 knots at 35,000 feet, but its true airspeed could be over 430 knots. Making the wing relatively flat on top with a blunter leading edge and more curvature on the bottom gives you a supercritical airfoil. Commercial airliners aren’t designed for supersonic flight.
Pilot's Life Blog
FEBRUARY 11, 2025
The wings are designed with an airfoil shape, curved on the top and flatter on the bottom, creating a pressure difference when air flows over them. Each rotor blade acts as an airfoil, and as it rotates, it moves air over its surface, generating lift. This pressure difference produces lift, allowing the aircraft to ascend.
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