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Aviation glossary

Center Of Pressure

What is center of pressure?

Illustration related to center of pressure
Image: NASA/GSFC, MODIS Rapid Response Team, Jacques Descloitres — Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The center of pressure is the single point along the wing's chord line where all the aerodynamic forces (mainly lift) are considered to be concentrated. As the angle of attack changes, this point moves forward or aft along the chord, which affects the aircraft's stability and pitching tendencies. Think of it as the "balance point" of lift on the wing—where you could replace all the spread-out air pressure with one concentrated force.

Also known as: CP, center of pressure

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