Trailing edge

The trailing edge of an aerodynamic surface such as a wing is its rear edge, where the airflow separated by the leading edge meets. ^[1] Essential flight control surfaces are attached here to control the direction of the departing air flow, and exert a controlling force on the aircraft. ^[2] Such control surfaces include ailerons on the wings for roll control, elevators on the tailplane controlling pitch , and the rudder on the fin controlling yaw . Elevators and ailerons may be combined as elevons on tailless aircraft .

The shape of the trailing edge is of prime importance in the aerodynamic function of any aerodynamic surface. A sharp trailing edge is always employed in an airfoil. ^[3] George Batchelor has written about:

“ ... the remarkable controlling influence exerted by the sharp trailing edge of an aerofoil on the circulation .” ^[4]

Extensions [ edit ]

Other sharp-edged surfaces that are attached to the trailing edges of wings or control surfaces include:

On control surfaces:

Other surfaces:

flaps

Other equipment that may be attached to the trailing edges of wings include:

Trailing edge shape [ edit ]

The trailing edge is where the upper and lower surfaces of a wing meet. They may meet at a finite angle. Alternatively, if the trailing edge angle is zero it is described as a cusped trailing edge. ^[5]

References [ edit ]

^ Crane, Dale: Dictionary of Aeronautical Terms, third edition , page 521. Aviation Supplies & Academics, 1997. ISBN 1-56027-287-2
^ Wragg, David W. (1973). A Dictionary of Aviation (first ed.). Osprey. p. 262. ISBN 9780850451634 .
^ “It had been known from the very beginning of flight that wings with a sharp trailing edge must be used in order to obtain a well-defined lift.” von Mises, Richard (1945), Theory of Flight , Section VIII.2, p.179, Dover Publications Inc. ISBN 0-486-60541-8
^ Batchelor, G. K. (1967), An Introduction to Fluid Dynamics , p.438, Cambridge University Press.
^ Anderson, John D. (2017). Fundamentals of aerodynamics . United States: McGraw-Hill Education. pp. 332?333. ISBN 978-0-07-339810-5 .

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[Crane-1] Crane, Dale: Dictionary of Aeronautical Terms, third edition , page 521. Aviation Supplies & Academics, 1997. ISBN 1-56027-287-2

[2] Wragg, David W. (1973). A Dictionary of Aviation (first ed.). Osprey. p. 262. ISBN 9780850451634 .

[3] “It had been known from the very beginning of flight that wings with a sharp trailing edge must be used in order to obtain a well-defined lift.” von Mises, Richard (1945), Theory of Flight , Section VIII.2, p.179, Dover Publications Inc. ISBN 0-486-60541-8

[4] Batchelor, G. K. (1967), An Introduction to Fluid Dynamics , p.438, Cambridge University Press.

[5] Anderson, John D. (2017). Fundamentals of aerodynamics . United States: McGraw-Hill Education. pp. 332?333. ISBN 978-0-07-339810-5 .

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v t e Aircraft components and systems
Airframe structure	Aft pressure bulkhead Cabane strut Canopy Crack arrestor Cruciform tail Dope Empennage Fabric covering Fairing Flying wires Former Fuselage Hardpoint Interplane strut Jury strut Leading edge Lift strut Longeron Nacelle Rib Spar Stabilizer Stressed skin Strut T-tail Tailplane Trailing edge Triple tail Twin tail V-tail Vertical stabilizer Wing root Wing tip Wingbox
Flight controls	Aileron Airbrake Artificial feel Autopilot Canard Centre stick Deceleron Dive brake Dual control Electro-hydraulic actuator Elevator Elevon Flaperon Flight control modes Fly-by-wire Gust lock HOTAS Rudder Rudder pedals Servo tab Side-stick Spoiler Spoileron Stabilator Stick pusher Stick shaker Trim tab Wing warping Yaw damper Yoke
Aerodynamic and high-lift devices	Active Aeroelastic Wing Adaptive compliant wing Anti-shock body Blown flap Channel wing Dog-tooth Drag-reducing aerospike Flap Gouge flap Gurney flap Krueger flap Leading-edge cuff Leading-edge droop flap LEX Slats Slot Stall strips Strake Variable-sweep wing Vortex generator Vortilon Wing fence Winglet
Avionic and flight instrument systems	ACAS Air data boom Air data computer Aircraft periscope Airspeed indicator Altimeter Annunciator panel Astrodome Attitude indicator Compass Course deviation indicator EFIS EICAS Flight management system Glass cockpit GPS Head-up display Heading indicator Horizontal situation indicator INS ISIS Multi-function display Pitot?static system Radar altimeter TCAS Transponder Turn and slip indicator Variometer Yaw string
Propulsion controls, devices and fuel systems	Autothrottle Drop tank FADEC Fuel tank Gascolator Inlet cone Intake ramp NACA cowling NACA duct Self-sealing fuel tank Splitter plate Throttle Thrust lever Thrust reversal Townend ring War emergency power Wet wing
Landing and arresting gear	Aircraft tire Arrestor hook Autobrake Conventional landing gear Drogue parachute Landing gear Landing gear extender Oleo strut Tricycle landing gear Tundra tire
Escape systems	Ejection seat Escape crew capsule
Other systems	Aircraft lavatory Auxiliary power unit Bleed air system Deicing boot Emergency oxygen system Environmental control system Flight recorder Hydraulic system Ice protection system In-flight entertainment system Landing lights Navigation light Passenger service unit Ram air turbine