Flight dynamics

Flight dynamics in <a href="/facts/Aviation/HX5MHY71">aviation</a> and <a href="/facts/Spacecraft/YQqQaUw0">spacecraft</a>, is the study of the performance, stability, and control of vehicles <a href="/facts/Flight/dvWK0PNd">flying</a> through the air or in <a href="/facts/Outer_space/R3LRKyFs">outer space</a>. It is concerned with how forces acting on the vehicle determine its <a href="/facts/Velocity/Q3o1LVDe">velocity</a> and attitude with respect to time.
For a <a href="/facts/Fixed-wing_aircraft/0DQQP2rB">fixed-wing aircraft</a>, its changing <a href="/facts/Orientation_(geometry)/Tj24mTJ8">orientation</a> with respect to the local air flow is represented by two critical angles, the angle of attack of the wing ("alpha") and the angle of attack of the vertical tail, known as the <a href="/facts/Slip_(aerodynamics)/T0yBq5hn">sideslip</a> angle ("beta"). A sideslip angle will arise if an aircraft yaws about its centre of gravity and if the aircraft sideslips bodily, i.e. the centre of gravity moves sideways. These angles are important because they are the principal source of changes in the aerodynamic forces and moments applied to the aircraft.
Spacecraft flight dynamics involve three main forces: propulsive (rocket engine), gravitational, and atmospheric resistance. Propulsive force and atmospheric resistance have significantly less influence over a given spacecraft compared to gravitational forces.

Flight dynamics open-in-new

Flight dynamics