Airfoils

[sihinch]

OK, so I've started researching airfoils and I don't know what the heck I'm looking at.  I am seeing all sorts of new numbers, like "lift to drag ratios" and "angle of attack for maximum lift to drag".  What do they all mean?

If you wanted to chose an airfoil (with a 10% chord thickness) for a fast, pylon racing plane (100-110mph) what would you be looking to optimise?

Here is a sample of what I'm finding.....

[Frank v B]

Simon,

Any time I have designed an airplane, I have copied the airfoil of a commercial airplane with a similar performance envelope.  In your case, copy the airfoil of Ed's pylon racer.  They all fly as long as they have an area enough to handle the anticipated speed.

Frank

[Ededge2002]

There is no way the Pyro has a 10% airfoil lol.