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A delta shape is the most appropriate for supersonic flight,
which requires a combination of sufficient lenght and sweep,
minimum relative thickness, and a low aspect ratio. The pointed
"Gothic revival" variation meets these requirements as well
as those of subsonic flight, takeoff and landing, while offering
sufficient structural rigidity and an extremely solid system
of aerodynamic lift. Its stability is such that Concorde is
the only commercial aircraft that requires no stabilizing rudders.
"Gothic revival" delta wing
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Wings
The Concorde's wings are thin and swept back at an angle. Thin
wings reduce drag and help delay the formation of shock waves.
But wings can be made only so thin. The angling back of the
wings, which further reduces drag, makes them act as if they
are thinner in the airstream.
The designers of the Concorde came up with a delta shaped wing
suitable for flying faster than the speed of sound. The wings
were put through 5,000 hours of wind tunnel tests. As a result
of the delta shape, the wings would be efficient for supersonic
flight and also provide enough lift to allow the Concorde to
land at a speed of 177 miles per hours. The wings would lower
the jet gently down to earth only if the pilot pointed the Concorde
steeply into the air. This deprived the pilot of the view of
the runway ahead of him. The engineers came up with a solution
for this problem They gave the plane a nose that could be tilted
downward at the touch of a button, thus allowing maximum vision
during landings.
Yet the delta wing also requires steeper angles of descent when
landing. Instead of the traditional 3 or 4 degrees of traditional
subsonic jets, Concorde must take off and land at angles of
10 to 11 degrees.
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It states at the end of the Delta Wing section "Its stability
is such that Concorde is the only commercial aircraft that requires
no stabilizing rudders." I think that the vertical fin is the
rudder, the Concord has no horizontal stabilizer or elevator
(the small wing in the rear of conventional aircraft), so I
believe the section in question should read "Its stability is
such that Concorde is the only commercial aircraft that requires
no horizontal stabilizer or elevator."
The Wing
The big ogival wing is unique as is the fact that Concorde has
no ailerons, speed brakes, spoilers or leading edge flaps/slats.
Concorde has six elevons, grouped in three pairs, for pitch
and roll. Concorde also has no trailing edge flaps, but the
elevons droop on takeoff and for landing to create increased
wing camber. The six elevons are hydraulically powered and electrically
controlled -- as in "fly by wire." (Although many are convinced
the Airbus A320 family was the first fly-by-wire airliner, Concorde
pioneered the concept a decade earlier.) According to Mike Bannister,
British Airways' Concorde chief pilot, there were even studies
to use a side-stick controller in Concorde but, he noted, "Concorde
was making so many large steps, this was one that would have
to wait." Concorde has two electric channels to signal the flight
controls and there is a mechanical backup.
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