Sunday, October 18, 2026
Capt. Mike's Question of the Day.
Two questions for the Transport Canada pilot written exams every day: a morning warm-up and an evening Captain's Challenge. Each one answered, explained and cited, free. Tap your answer to see how you did.
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Capt. Mike: Here's the question I asked that day. Tap your answer.
Which statement best explains why a cambered wing generates lift according to Bernoulli's principle?
The answer
4Faster flow over the curved upper surface lowers the pressure there
Explanation
A cambered aerofoil has a longer, more curved upper surface than its lower surface. Air accelerating over this curved upper surface travels faster than air below. According to Bernoulli's principle, faster-moving air has lower pressure. This creates lower pressure above the wing and relatively higher pressure below, and the net upward pressure differential is lift. Note: angle of attack (Newton's Third Law) also contributes to lift by deflecting airflow downward, but Bernoulli's principle explains the pressure differential mechanism.
Memory tip: Faster air ABOVE = LOWER pressure ABOVE = lift pushes UP. Bernoulli: speed up, pressure down.
Source
TP 12880E Theory of Flight — Principles of Flight: 1 Bernoulli's Theorem
Taught in: PPL › Aeronautics General KnowledgeThis question is from Aeronautics General Knowledge, the PPL course's free chapter. Unlock all 7 chapters with their quizzes (105 questions), and 4 full-length PPAER mock exams.
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