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by hattar 1824 days ago
> The Bernoulli effect explanation is bogus.

I hear this but never seem to get any further info. Why are wings shaped with a curved top and flat bottom? Is there a good summary I can go read to understand this all?

2 comments

This page explain things well: https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/UEET/StudentSite/dynamicso...

AFAIK the wing shape thing is about reducing drag (turbulence?)–not essential but hard to fly well without a nicely shaped wing.

That's a terribly oversimplified explanation. May I recommend this one instead:

https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/foam_wi...

When learning about flight, keep asking yourself "Then how do planes fly upside down?" Any explanation which does not mesh with sustained, inverted flight is oversimplified to the point of uselessness and inaccuracy.

Actually meant to post this link, sorry! https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/wrong1.html
>Why are wings shaped with a curved top and flat bottom?

Most wings aren't shaped like that.