Streamlining an aircraft?

Question

Why is an aircraft streamlined? How do they stream line it (eg: useful materials)?

Answer 1

It is easier to get a Lamborghini off the ground than it is a Honda Element .

Answer 2

"steamlining" cuts down on wind-resistance and thus reduces turbulence that the plane generates as it cuts through the air.

some of that is achieved through the shape of the plane... the angle of the front edge on the wings... and things like grooves / flaps which direct the wind around the plane.

...for example - a teardrop shape cuts through the air much easier than a squared off brick shape.

Answer 3

Aircraft are streamlined to reduce drag. With reduced drag comes reduced fuel consumption less noise and better control.  The airframe normal streamlined by rounding out areas where air can stagnate (sit not moving) or areas of greatest front profile this is achieved by composite fairings. Normally made from fibreglass or carbon fibre.  The flaps, slats, leading edges are all designed to give the greatest lift at the speed ranges the aircraft operates at.

Answer 4

Imagine pushing a flat plate through air. You get more air resistance pushing the plate upright than flat.

Streamlining an aircraft is to make the body or whatever part exposed to the air less resistant thus air will flow over it smoothly like it was never there.

This helps reduce drag (resistance to air), turbulence and noise.

The main reason most aircrafts have retractable gears is to streamline the body. i.e when the landing gear is out of the way of the airflow and inside the body, you have a smooth surface for the air to flow. Recall that when a plane is about to land, after the pilot lowers the landing gears you hear some noise underneath the plane? That is not only the hydraulics but also the noise created when the gears get in the way of the airflow. Doing this actually reduces the velocity of the plane (might not be easily noticed if you are a passenger).

For planes that do not have retractable gears, (ex. cessna 182) the smooth covering they put on top of the wheels are to streamline the wheels to reduce drag.

Hope I answered you question

Answer 5

Streamlining reduces drag and improves efficiency.  Basic streamlining is part of the airplane's overall design, and joints and appendages can be made more streamlined by applying fairings made of metal, fiberglass, or composite materials.