Originally posted by uberslet
mace, you mention "Corner Velocity" but dont relly mention how it affects your plane of flight in general. I have never heard the term before, but if someone could explain it I would appreciate it.
Sure thing.
The name comes from the fact that it's the upper left "corner" of a V-n diagram and is referred to in general aviation as "Maneuvering Speed". V stands for Velocity and n stands for normal acceleration (i.e., G). Here's a link to an
example.
The curved line starting at 0, 0 and going up is the positive lift limit (the one going down is negative lift limit). Lift limit being the maximum amount of lift (G) the wing can generate at the given speed WITHOUT STALLING. So, on that example diagram you can see that particular airplane can generate about 2.7 G at 100kts. If you pull harder, you will stall.
If you follow the lift line up to the top (point C on the diagram) it will intersect your maximum G limit for the aircraft at about 120kts. This is the "corner" which gives you the term "corner velocity". That's the point at which the wing can generate more G than the airplane can physically handle without damage, in this case about 3.8 G (obviously, this example is not a fighter which can typically handle up to 6 G or more). If you're faster than 120kts you are G limited. While the wing can generate more G you would do it at the expense of overstressing the aircraft.
So, since turn rates relate directly to G (higher G = higher turn rates) and G is directly related to speed, corner velocity is that speed which gives you the maximum turn rate without overstress.
Also, since turn radius is directly related to speed and turn rate anything over corner velocity will be limited by G-limits and increase your turn radius.
In summary, corner velocity gives you your maximum turn rate and smallest turn radius. Think of it as the speed at which the airplane "corners" (turns) best. We don't have all the V-n diagrams but you can figure out an approximate corner velocity for your aircraft. Start at about 250mph and do a high G level turn. Pull to the edge of blackout. As you decelerate (you will in a level turn) increase your pull to stay at the edge of blackout until the stick is as far aft as it can go (you can't pull any more). That speed is your approximate corner velocity. For WWII fighters the speed ranges from about 180 to 240 mph.
