Cause and Effect

Cause and effect are inextricably linked.

In the meantime, you can find correct partial explanations regarding the dynamic lift (e.g. Wikipedia). At other side explanations regarding this topic are obscured by mixing them with effects such as Bernoulli's equation, Coandă effect, circulation theory, Venturi effect, flow deflection.... The more mathematical equations are presented, the stronger the obfuscation becomes. It is then no longer recognisable what is the physically true cause and what is just for illustration.

The aforementioned effects are connected with flying, but they are not not causal. Effects are impacts, only natural laws can establish ultimate causes. There is no need for maths to understand nature, which is why we do without it.

As with all seemingly complex topics, you should get an overview first. Interrelationships should be presented simply but not in such a way that they become false through simplification. Later on, less common terms are chosen in order to break away from old thought patterns.

Physical effects occur during flight, but they are not causal. Effects are consequences, only the laws of nature can ultimately explain causes. A new look at known physics enables new thinking.

Although the exact choice of words is crucial in physics in particular, we don't want to get lost in this, so the terms momentum, impact, energy, force etc. are sometimes used in an extended sense for the sake of general comprehensibility. There are no new findings, but known knowledge may be seen in a different light. The aim should be to find out the ultimate cause of dynamic lift. The effects as a consequence of causes must not be ignored thereby because they can be part of a causal chain. Cause and effect are inextricably linked. Incidentally: Regardless of which theories one subscribes to, a pilot can, if the specified operating limits adhered, control his aircraft safely.

Obviously, it doesn't matter much whether the cause of flight and the formation of lift are physically correct.

Impossible perspective. Escape is futile. The more you get involved with the airstream, the more impossible it becomes to break away from it.

Most of us are pilots and not designers / physicists / structural engineers who still have to consider strength, stability, controllability ... in mind. However can develop further, however, if you reflect on the basics about the air and some basic physical forces.

Note to prospective pilots and students: Learn what is in the books, tick the "correct" answers, do the math as given, repeat what is expected. After all, you want to pass the exams.

Introduction ⇐ | ⇒ Aerodynamics / Aerokinetics