Remove Airfoil Remove Center of Gravity Remove Stability
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Tailless Aircraft: How Airplanes Fly Without a Tail

Pilot Institute

A tailless aircraft is a fixed-wing airplane without a horizontal stabilizing surface. With this type of aircraft, the functions of longitudinal stability and control are incorporated into the main wing. A tailless airplane is one where everything needed to fly, like lift, control, and stability, is built into the main wing.

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The Hazards of Aircraft Icing: Explained

Pilot Institute

Remember that wings, propeller blades, and tail surfaces are airfoil-shaped. Ice build-up on the airframe changes the airflow pattern around these airfoils. Additional Dangers of Ice Accumulation Icing also makes your aircraft heavier and can even change the position of the center of gravity.

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The Role of Newton’s Third Law in Aviation

Pilot Institute

They are designed with a special shape called an airfoil, which encourages passing air to turn and deflect downward. This is why the typical airfoil shape has a curved top and a flat bottom, especially in slower-speed general aviation aircraft. The aircraft pivots about its center of gravity. Wings do just that.

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We Fly: Aviat Husky

Flying Magazine

It retained the classic, high-lift Clark Y airfoil, but the span of its four-position semi-Fowler flap span was extended. As Aviat worked to increase the useful load of the Husky, it also extended the center of gravity (CG) range. In 2005, a new wing became standard.

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Nothing Small About It

Plane and Pilot

The airfoil is a Harry Riblett shape, giving modernized flow separation on the leading edge for a soft stall yet with good lift and drag performance. From the pilot’s seat it cruises near effortlessly and handles nimbly on land or water with a great combination of stability and modest control pressures.