Equations of Motion

Equations of Motion of an aircraft refers to the various forces acting on an aircraft

Forces on an Aircraft >>

• Lift (L) << refers to the force perpendicular to the flight path
• Drag Polar << refers to the force parallel, but opposite, to the flight path
• Thrust (T) << refers to the force angled or parallel and in the same direction as the flight path
• Weight (W) << refers to the force directed towards the center of the planet

Parallel Motion Equation >> ${\sum }_{\parallel \text{Flight Path}}=T(cos(\theta ))-D\pm W(sin(\alpha ))$ Perpendicular Motion Equation >> ${\sum }_{\perp \text{Flight Path}}=\pm T(sin(\theta ))+L-W(cos(\alpha ))$