Misconceptions: Physics of Flight

[romanza <romanza@MBOX3.SINGNET.COM.SG>]

> Hi all-
>         Romanza asks:
> ********************************************************************
> Many texts give the explanation for lift of an aerofoil --- that the
distance travelled by air on the upper surface is greater than the lower
surface, and hence air must travel at a faster speed in order to "catch-up"
with air on the lower surface.
> This is quite a common misconception in explaning lift. But can someone
enlighten me on how to give a more correct version without involving
technical details like circulation, Joukouski Theorem etc.
> Thanks.
>
> romanza
> *******************************
>         Since there is a pressure difference that supports the airfoil,
and since
> the Bernoulli effect is very accurate (especially at low Mach numbers),
why is
> this a misconception (limited to your precise statement)?
>                                         Regards,
>                                                 Jack

Hi Jack and friends,
    The misconception I was referring to was airflow on the top surface does
not flow faster because of a longer distance and to recombine again with the
airflow from the lower surface at the trailing edge. This is commonly given
as the explanation for the existence of lift in many texts.
Is there anywhere I can find an easy but correct explanation?

Thanks,
romanza