Commuter aircraft aerodynamic characteristics through wind tunnel tests
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to deal with the experimental estimation of both longitudinal- and lateral-directional aerodynamic characteristics of a new twin-engine, 11-seat commuter aircraft.
Design/methodology/approach
Wind tunnel tests have been conducted on a 1:8.75 scaled model. A modular model (fuselage, wing, nacelle, winglet and tail planes) has been built to analyze both complete aircraft aerodynamic characteristics and mutual effects among components. The model has been also equipped with trailing edge flaps, elevator and rudder control surfaces.
Findings
Longitudinal tests have shown the goodness of the aircraft design in terms of aircraft stability, control and trim capabilities at typical clean, take-off and landing conditions. The effects of fuselage, nacelles and winglets on lift, pitching moment and drag coefficients have been investigated. Lateral-directional stability and control characteristics of the complete aircraft and several aircraft component combinations have been tested to estimate the aircraft components’ interactions.
Research limitations/implications
The experimental tests have been performed at a Reynolds number of about 0.6e6, whereas the free-flight Reynolds number range should be between 4.5e6 and 9.5e6. Thus, all the measured data suffer from the Reynolds number scaling effect.
Practical implications
The study provides useful aerodynamic database for P2012 Traveller commuter aircraft.
Originality/value
The paper deals with the experimental investigation of a new general aviation 11-seat commuter aircraft being brought to market by Tecnam Aircraft Industries and it brings some material on applied industrial design in the open literature.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank the Design Office of Tecnam Aircraft Industries (Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam) for the technical collaboration with the DII. The authors want also to express gratitude to Prof L. Pascale (former Professor at the same Department and now President of Tecnam) for many useful suggestions and interesting considerations in the analysis of obtained experimental results.
Citation
Nicolosi, F., Corcione, S. and Della Vecchia, P. (2016), "Commuter aircraft aerodynamic characteristics through wind tunnel tests", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 88 No. 4, pp. 523-534. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-01-2015-0008
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited