Trailing edge

The trailing edge of an aerodynamic surface such as a <a href="/facts/Wing/6v6VAUT2">wing</a> is its rear edge, where the airflow separated by the <a href="/facts/Leading_edge/7qs3oRtP">leading edge</a> meets. Essential <a href="/facts/Flight_control_surfaces/wux1lX6A">flight control surfaces</a> are attached here to control the direction of the departing air flow, and exert a controlling force on the aircraft. Such control surfaces include <a href="/facts/Ailerons/700JRzbo">ailerons</a> on the wings for roll control, <a href="/facts/Elevator_(aircraft)/LPMxWDXk">elevators</a> on the <a href="/facts/Tailplane/cBGTeTwM">tailplane</a> controlling <a href="/facts/Aircraft_principal_axes/zmL8M13t">pitch</a>, and the <a href="/facts/Rudder/w675HJUP">rudder</a> on the <a href="/facts/Fin/H2Rjvfo3">fin</a> controlling <a href="/facts/Aircraft_principal_axes/zmL8M13t">yaw</a>. Elevators and ailerons may be combined as <a href="/facts/Elevons/43MAmcwv">elevons</a> on <a href="/facts/Tailless_aircraft/XqCm0SdF">tailless aircraft</a>.
The shape of the trailing edge is of prime importance in the aerodynamic function of any aerodynamic surface. A sharp trailing edge is always employed in an airfoil. <a href="/facts/George_Batchelor/peMzQBl8">George Batchelor</a> has written about:

“ ... the remarkable controlling influence exerted by the sharp trailing edge of an aerofoil on the <a href="/facts/Circulation_(fluid_dynamics)/9SbB60N2">circulation</a>.”<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4">4</a>

Trailing edge open-in-new

Trailing edge