Aerofoil

An aerofoil is shaped so that air flows faster over the top than under the bottom. There is, therefore, a greater pressure below the aerofoil than above it. This difference in pressure produces the lift.

The lift generated by a wing is based on the principle that the pressure in a fluid decreases as its velocity increases (Bernoulli′s Principle):

Aileron

Movable control surfaces, usually mounted in the trailing edge of a wing adjacent to the wingtips, to control an aircraft′s rolling movements.

Chord

The distance measured from the leading-to trailing-edge of an airfoil.

Leading Edge

The edge of an airfoil which first meets the airstream in normal flight.

Trailing Edge

The rear edge of an aerofoil.

See also: Aileron, Airbrake, Aircraft, Airflow, Angle of Attack, Chord, Wing, Zero-Lift Chord.

Further reading:
• Mechanics of Flight, D.R. Philpott, A.C. Kermode, R.H. Barnard, Prentice-Hall