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 elevonsontailless 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:
Other sharp-edged surfaces that are attached to the trailing edges of wings or control surfaces include:
Other equipment that may be attached to the trailing edges of wings include:
The trailing edge is where the upper and lower surfaces of a wing meet. The angle between the upper and lower surfaces at the trailing edge is called the trailing edge angle. If the trailing edge angle is zero it is described as a cusped trailing edge.[5]
In two-dimensional flow around a uniform wing of infinite span, the slope of the lift curve is determined primarily by the trailing edge angle. The slope is greatest if the angle is zero; and decreases as the angle increases.[6][7] For a wing of finite span, the aspect ratio of the wing also significantly influences the slope of the curve. As aspect ratio decreases, the slope also decreases.[8]
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