Vortex lift

Vortex lift is a form of lift generated by delta wings operating at high angles of attack.

How it works

Vortex lift works by capturing vortices generated from the sharply swept leading edge of the wing. The vortex, formed roughly parallel to the leading edge of the wing, is trapped by the airflow and remains fixed to the upper surface of the wing. As the air flows around the leading edge, it flows over the trapped vortex and is pulled in and down to generate the lift.

Advantages and disadvantages

The major advantage of vortex lift is that it allows angles of attack that would stall a normal wing. Since it does not require camber to generate lift, but does require significant sweep back, vortex lift is utilized by most supersonic aircraft for landing; the characteristic bending nose of the commercial Concorde was built to allow the pilots to see over the nose during landing, when the aircraft was at a very high angle of attack.

The disadvantage of vortex lift is the drag that it produces. Vortices are a primary cause of drag in most aircraft, and the large vortices generated when using vortex lift. This can actually be considered an advantage when landing, however.

See also

* Aerodynamics
* Delta wing