Can We Really Simulate Flight? – Wind Tunnels vs Supercomputers

How do engineers know if a computer simulation or wind tunnel test is actually accurate? In this episode of Aerodynamics Explained, we look at the limits of CFD and wind tunnels, why scale and Mach number matter, how engineers validate simulations, and why real flight testing is still necessary. From Reynolds number to supersonic testing, this episode explores how engineers try to recreate real flight before an aircraft ever takes off.