Which term is commonly used to describe the straight-line distance from the leading edge to the trailing edge of an airfoil, measured along the chord line?

• A. Angle of Attack
• B. Leading Edge
• C. Camber
• D. Chord Length

Answer: (D)

Chord length is the straight-line distance from the leading edge to the trailing edge, measured along the chord line that directly connects those two points. This line defines the airfoil’s width in the chordwise direction, and the distance along it from LE to TE is what we call the chord length. The leading edge is simply the front edge of the airfoil, not a length. Camber describes the curvature between the chord line and the airfoil surface (the mean camber line), not how long the wing section is. Angle of attack is the orientation angle between the oncoming air and the chord line, not a measurement of distance.