Flight mechanics

The study of the physical principles of flight, including aircraft stability, control, and performance.

What types of aircraft are relevant to aircraft flight mechanics?

"Aircraft flight mechanics are relevant to fixed wing (gliders, aeroplanes) and rotary wing (helicopters) aircraft."

How is an aeroplane defined in ICAO Document 9110?

"An aeroplane (airplane in US usage), is defined in ICAO Document 9110 as, 'a power-driven heavier than air aircraft, deriving its lift chiefly from aerodynamic reactions on surface which remain fixed under given conditions of flight'."

Why are dirigibles excluded from the definition of an aeroplane?

"...because they derive lift from buoyancy rather than from airflow over surfaces."

Why are ballistic rockets excluded from the definition of an aeroplane?

"...because their lifting force is typically derived directly and entirely from near-vertical thrust."

How could both dirigibles and ballistic rockets be related to "flight mechanics" in a more general sense?

"Technically, both of these could be said to experience 'flight mechanics' in the more general sense of physical forces acting on a body moving through air."

What primarily creates lift for an aeroplane?

"...deriving its lift chiefly from aerodynamic reactions on surfaces which remain fixed under given conditions of flight."

What is the main difference between the lifting forces of dirigibles and aeroplanes?

"...they derive lift from buoyancy rather than from airflow over surfaces."

How does a ballistic rocket primarily generate lifting force?

"...their lifting force is typically derived directly and entirely from near-vertical thrust."

What are the two main categories of aircraft that aircraft flight mechanics are relevant to?

"Aircraft flight mechanics are relevant to fixed wing (gliders, aeroplanes) and rotary wing (helicopters) aircraft."

In which document is the definition of an aeroplane found?

"It is defined in ICAO Document 9110 as..."

What are the specific conditions under which an aeroplane derives its lift?

"...under given conditions of flight."

Why are dirigibles typically excluded from the scope of aircraft flight mechanics?

"...because they operate very differently..."

Why are ballistic rockets typically outside the scope of aircraft flight mechanics?

"...because they operate very differently..."

What is the lifting force of dirigibles primarily derived from?

"...buoyancy rather than from airflow over surfaces."

How does the lifting force of a ballistic rocket differ from that of an aeroplane?

"...their lifting force is typically derived directly and entirely from near-vertical thrust."

What is the primary source of propulsion for an aeroplane?

"...power-driven..."

How does an aeroplane primarily generate lift for flight?

"...chiefly from aerodynamic reactions on surface..."

Why are dirigibles categorized differently than aeroplanes in terms of flight mechanics?

"...because they derive lift from buoyancy rather than from airflow over surfaces."

Why do ballistic rockets differ from aeroplanes in terms of flight mechanics?

"...because their lifting force is typically derived directly and entirely from near-vertical thrust."

What is the usual scope of the term "flight mechanics"?

"...but they operate very differently, and are normally outside the scope of this term."