Aeroelasticity is the branch of physics and engineering studying the interactions between the inertial, elastic, and aerodynamic forces occurring while an elastic body is exposed to a fluid flow. The study of aeroelasticity may be broadly classified into two fields: static aeroelasticity dealing with the static or steady state response of an elastic body to a fluid flow, and dynamic aeroelasticity dealing with the body's dynamic response.
NASA testing a scale model Lockheed Electra in a wind tunnel for flutter
Buffeting of the fin caused by the breakdown of the vortex on the NASA HARV F/A-18 wing.
Mass balances protruding from an aileron used to suppress flutter
Aircraft flight control surfaces are aerodynamic devices allowing a pilot to adjust and control the aircraft's flight attitude.
KLM Fokker 70, showing position of flap and liftdumper flight controls. The liftdumpers are the lifted cream-coloured panels on the wing upper surface (in this picture there are five on the right wing). The flaps are the large drooped surfaces on the trailing edge of the wing.
Wing trailing edge flight control surfaces of a Boeing 747-8. Top left: All surfaces at neutral position; Top middle: Right aileron is lowered; Top right: spoilers raised during flight; Middle row: Fowler flaps extended (left), extended more (middle), hinged with inboard slotted part hinged even more (right); Bottom row: spoilers raised during landing
Air brakes on the rear fuselage of a Eurowings BAe 146-300
Mass balance protruding from an aileron used to suppress flutter
