Camber (a slight arching or convexity upwards). This term denotes that the aerofoil has such a curved transverse section.
Chord is the distance between the entering (or leading) edge of the main supporting surface (aerofoil) and the trailing edge of the same; also defined as the fore and aft dimension of the main planes measured in a straight line between the leading and trailing edges.
Aspect Ratio is span/chord
Gap is the vertical distance between one aerofoil and the one which is immediately above it.
(The gap is usually made equal to the chord).
Angle of Incidence. The angle of incidence is the angle made by the chord with the line of flight.
| AB = chord. | AB = cambered surface. |
| SP = line of flight. | ASP = α = L of incidence. |
Width. The width of an aerofoil is the distance from the front to the rear edge, allowing for camber.
Length. This term is usually applied to the machine as a whole, from the front leading edge of elevator (or supports) to tip of tail.