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Really cool explanations.

Quote: What you find is that it really just depends on a few factors: the shape and surface of the plane, and the efficiency of its engine.

It would also depend on weight. New planes are also lighter, as article mentions (eliminated aluminum sheets and fasteners). Some other weight could be eliminated by replacing in-flight entertainment screens in every chair and wires required for them with tablets + wireless.




The explanations are textbook, but they leave out an important detail. Wings (mostly) generate lift from a difference in pressure above and below the wing while in flight. The reduced pressure above the wing basically 'sucks' it upwards. The result of this pressure difference creates a massive downward force behind the wing, which is usually what's referenced when explaining these things. Here's a paper that explains it a bit more: http://www.pilotfriend.com/training/flight_training/aero/lif...


Urban legend. Wings deflect air downward. The OP even linked to the xkcd comic debunking this.


The good old Bernoulli vs Newton question




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