Mach tuck is a natural tendency of an aircraft to pitch downwards while the airflow around wing reaches supersonic speed. So what is the significance of it?
Video Credits: Kildren
Mach Tuck causes loss of control in aircraft, which if exists for a long duration may result in accident. This occurs because the aircraft takes a dive, and causes emergency situation in an aircraft. What really causes Mach Tuck?...
A mach tuck is generally caused by two factors
- Rearward movement of centre of pressure and
- Decrease in downwash velocity at the rear portion (Tail plane).
These are the two reasons which generate a nose down pitching moment.
Rearward movement of centre of pressure
Centre of pressure is a pivot point in case of lift. Lift is nothing but an upward force generated by wings due to pressure difference caused between the surfaces of airfoil. As the flow velocity increases this pivot point moves backwards and the balance is lost. Due to lack of balance the airplane dives.
Decrease in downwash velocity at the rear portion (Tail plane)
Tailplane also contributes to lift, but in a different way. The lift generated by a tailplane creates moment. Normally the moment generated is calculated and the distance of tailplane is designed accordingly.
Video Credits: 1StepPrep Professional Pilot Training
The lift of tailplane is calculated according to a downwash velocity from the main wing. But at supersonic velocity, this downwash velocity decreases which in turn increases lift in the tail portion creating a nose down moment.
So how to control it?
Mach tuck is by default controlled by software, so that safety is ensured. From a beginners perspective, Mach tuck is still an aerodynamic enigma (mysterious or difficult to understand).
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