I start most of my technical groundschool by saying:..' now this is not 100% technically correct but it is the easiest way to understand..'
Usually I get the point across.
I also keep a book from the University of Delft(Holland) from the division of aeronautics as a backup for the occasional smart-ass student....'but what if..'
In that case I get the book out,show them all the formulas and tell them they are only required to know the simple version.(Right?)
One vector split in two doesn't really change the right of existence of the original one now does it?
Our whole system of mathematics is man-made and a model that exists by the grace of not been disproved....yet.
Thrust and weight can also be conbined in a single vector resulting in a single angled force.Counteracted by the lift/drag combo,back to 2 vectors.
Question: Why do we need more power in slow flight,in fact almost as much as in cruise? (Single engine GA)
Most frequent answer: high angle of attack resulting in high lift therefore higher induced drag....
How about this one: as lift works perpendicular to the wing right?
In a turn we can split the lift into a horizontal comp. and a vertical comp.
The horizontal comp. makes the airplane turn and the vert. keeps the plane in the air.
Now for the shocker....the same applies in slow flight.
The horizontal component works in the same direction as drag in the 4-forces model,therefore increasing it.Hey presto more thrust needed.
Never even thought about this till the FAA examiner for my CFI mentioned this.I will forever be grateful.......
Taught most of my students the same thing.Makes great sense after you've experienced slow flight.
Now for the big question...
Does the 1st answer disprove or overrule the 2nd one?
No ....they co-exist.
Some people tend to think their way is the only way
it's not..
I never claim I'm a 100% right,I'm just less wrong than the the people I teach and I hope the'll end up being equally right.
Not more,that's embarrassing.
To finish: Confucius say: ..many thoughts lead to a cluttered brain....
