Chord Line

In aerospace engineering, the chord line is a straight line connecting the leading and trailing edges of an airfoil. The chord line serves as a reference line in the study of airfoil characteristics and aerodynamics. The length of the chord line, often simply referred to as the 'chord', is a fundamental dimension of the airfoil, and it is used in the calculation of the airfoil's camber and thickness ratios, which are critical to the airfoil's performance. The angle between the chord line and the oncoming airflow is known as the angle of attack, a key parameter in determining the lift generated by the airfoil. The chord line is also used in the definition of other important aerodynamic parameters, such as the center of pressure and the aerodynamic center. In a swept wing design, the chord line of the root and tip airfoils defines the sweep angle, which affects the wing's critical Mach number and its drag characteristics at high speeds.