Centre of pressure

Centre of Pressure
The point on the upper surface of a wing. Relative to the chord. Where the lift can be said to centre.
Centre Pod Configuration ...

Centre of Pressure. An imaginary line along the span of an aerofoil along which all the aerodynamic forces on the aerofoil affecting lift may be assumed to act.

C of P - centre of pressure, the point through which the total effect of lift may be said to act on an aeroplane.
C/L - centre line (of a runway, for example).
c/s - call sign.

By the middle of 1809, Cayley had investigated the improved lifting capacities of cambered wings, the movement of the centre of pressure, longitudinal stability, and the concept of streamlining.

All three designs use the movement of the centre of pressure on the collapse of the skirt to provide stability, ie., when the skirt crumples as the edge of the craft drops, the effective contact point where the skirt touches the ground moves.

The expansion to a wider range of compression surface flows allowed the design of waveriders with control of volume, upper surface shape, engine integration and centre of pressure position.

See also: Plane, Power, Lift, Weight, Flight