Dave, >OK, we've got a nomenclature difference (it's always the communication >issues, isn't it?)
In my original message I said the induced drag is proportional to SPAN LOADING, not wing loading, for a fixed span wing. That is really all I am trying to show you: Di = (W/L)^2 / (Pi*q), where W = weight, L = span, q = rho*V^2/2 >Sorry for the digression but with this sorted out, the result is >mathematically the same. The reason I prefer to keep it in the "wing loading" form is >that the scaling is a bit more apparent (to me). You can keep it in any form you want, the result is the same, total induced drag is not dependant on the AR for a fixed span. This is really a simple aerodynamic axiom that does need to be argued about. I guess I am not a high enough authority to take my word on it :-) >For a fixed span, as aspect ratio increases, the wing loading does not go up >as fast as Cavg goes down so Cavg wins. For a fixed Cavg, as aspect ratio >increases, wing loading will go up so drag should increase (??) By using chord and wing loading you are just clouding the issue. Yes, W/L = W*C/S, but you cannot change C (chord) without changing S (area) for a fixed span. It is still SPAN LOADING, Weight/Span. And yes, wing loading DOES go up as fast as the chord goes down. Change AR all you want, you are not changing SPAN LOADING. This is just elementary algebra actually, not even aerodynamics. >My assumption is that you have to look at the entire package. I agree. I was only correcting you on one point. Total induced drag does not depend on the AR, only on the span, weight, speed. I hope you can work out the algebra and convince yourself in that. Best regards, Oleg. PS. Apologies to the list for dragging this issue so far. I was not really contributing to the original topic here, just could not let the incorrect statement go :-0 RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off. Email sent from web based email such as Hotmail and AOL are generally NOT in text format
