Aero-Terms!

Aero-Terms are designed to be a daily reminder of the terms, names, acronyms and explanations of the unique language that populates the aviation world. Aerospace, sport aviation, fixed wing, helo, you name it... it's all fair game.

Aero-Terms should serve as a quick but intriguing reminder of the terms you may use every day, or an introduction to an aspects of the Aero-World you may not yet be familiar with. ANN also encourages readers to go beyond the FMI link, and further research any intriguing terms.

Suggestions for future Aero-Terms are ALWAYS welcome, as are additions or discussion of the explanations given for each Aero-Term.

Disk Loading

Disk Loading is the pressure (weight force divided by disk area) maintained over the swept area of a helicopter's rotor. A heavy helicopter with short rotors will have more disk loading than a light helicopter with long rotors. A low disk loading allows better autorotation. The V-22 Osprey is an example of high disk loading. In reciprocating and propeller engines, disk loading can be defined as the ratio between propeller induced velocity and freestream velocity. Lower disk loading will increase efficiency hence it is desirable to have larger props.

FMI: www.heli-chair.com/aerodynamics_101.html