Remove Airfoil Remove Clearance Remove Drag
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Air pressure and density

Professional Pilot

However, with no room to navigate up the steep glacial valley, the pilots finessed the airplane over the hurdle with no more than 200 ft of clearance. Every pilot knows that aircraft fly because the forces of lift and thrust balance or exceed the weight and drag countering them.

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Return to Form

Plane and Pilot

For one thing, the F2s fuselage hangs from a completely new wing with two distinct airfoil shapes. An obvious discontinuity leads to a thinner airfoil inboard. Given the need to preserve noggin-to-wing-spar clearance, its a smart but necessary solution. Wings, Things Major aerodynamic tweaks have been made.

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Nothing Small About It

Plane and Pilot

Winging It Aside from the aforementioned desire for a greater aspect ratio for reduced drag, the one-piece Gweduck wing was developed for minimal weight, ease of construction and benign handling. Keeping drag corralled was emphasized as the Gweduck mission is foremost long-distance cruising.