Dive Acceleration Primer

[HoHun]

Hi Regurge,

>A diving plane produces less lift and therefore less drag than in level flight. So in a dive the speed where thrust=drag should be faster than in level flight, correct?

If only the wing would count, yes.

However, the fuselage is usually aligned with the air stream at top speed at full throttle height. So at zero lift, you get less drag from the wing but more from the fuselage

Depending on the exact conditions, minimum drag for a given speed might be achieved anywhere between 0 G and 1 G.

Regards,

Henning (HoHun)

[Regurge]

Doh I just repeated what funked said replying to sable.  I must have missed it.

I see what you're saying hohun. So mimimum total drag would have positive wing AoA and negative fuselage AoA (assuming positive wing incidence). I suppose thats all pretty insignificant compared to the parasitic drag at high speed though.

[HoHun]

Hi Regurge,

>I suppose thats all pretty insignificant compared to the parasitic drag at high speed though.

I believe you're right. The effect seems to be much more pronounced during "unloading" - pushing to 0.5 G may be more energy-efficient than unloading to 0 G as a result. If you get fast, parasitic drag takes over and unloading isn't worthwhile anymore.

Regards,

Henning (HoHun)