Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 July 2016
A “light wire” is one for which the integrated wire weight and tangential fluid friction forces are much smaller than the weight of the load which it supports, so that only the aerodynamic force acting normal to the wire need be considered. The equations for this simplified model were first formulated by Glauert, and have been further studied by Bryant et al and Neumark, among others. Ref. 4 contains a comprehensive list of references.
In this note Glauert's equations are used to obtain numerical results for the wire shape, a wire shape integral which is of interest for trailing wire antennas, and the steady state aerodynamic forces which act upon the aircraft. Computer solutions taking cable weight into account have indicated that the results for a weightless cable are realistic for many cases.