NACA 5-Digit Airfoil Series Page 1 of 2

The NACA 5-Digit Airfoil

| Definition | Uses | References |

Definition:

Example: NACA 23012

NACA 23012
As contrived as it sounds, the first digit is the design Lift Coefficient multiplied by twenty-thirds (20/3). For the most
part, it's almost always 2.

NACA 23012
The second and third digits combine to designate the horizontal location of maximum camber times two. For
example, if the combined digits are "30" then that means the maximum camber happens approximately 15% back
from the leading edge. If the third digit is changed to a "1", then the camberline modifies itself to be reflexed near
the trailing edge.

NACA 23015
As with all of the NACA airfoils, the last two digits combine together to designate how thick the airfoil is as a
percentage of chordlength. In this example, our airfoil will be 15% of the chordlength thick. With this class of
airfoils, the maximum thickness occurs at a distance of 30% from the leading edge.

Airfoil Uses:

In an attempt to reduce the large pitching moment of the NACA 4-Digit series airfoils, NACA engineers created this
follow-on series known as the NACA 5-Digit series. As such, both airfoil series use the same thickness distributions.
Only the camberlines are different.

The NACA 5-Digit airfoils have been used on several business jets along with other transport aircraft like the DC3.
Recently, they have enjoyed a comeback as they appear on Van's series of popular kitplanes. While it can reach higher
lift coefficients than the 4-Digit airfoils, there is a tendency for the stall to be somewhat sudden. However, the low
pitching moment and the reduced trim drag make this series a favorite among designers.

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NACA 5-Digit Airfoil Series Page 2 of 2

As a side note, reflexed versions of this airfoil have been used on flying wings.

References:

"Tests In The Variable-Density Wind Tunnel of Related Airfoils Having The Maximum Camber Unusually Far
Forward", Jacobs & Pinkerton, NACA Technical Report No. 537, 1935.
"Tests Of Airfoils Designed To Delay The Compressibility Burble", John Stack, NACA Technical Report No. 763,
1943.

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