• International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.356-365
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• 2014

This paper is the second in a series and aims to build a high-fidelity mathematical model for a propeller-driven airplane using the propeller's aerodynamics and inertial models, as developed in the first paper. It focuses on aerodynamic models for the fuselage, the main wing, and the stabilizers under the influence of the wake trailed from the propeller. For this, application of the vortex lattice method is proposed to reflect the propeller's wake effect on those aerodynamic surfaces. By considering the maneuvering flight states and the flow field generated by the propeller wake, the induced velocity at any point on the aerodynamic surfaces can be computed for general flight conditions. Thus, strip theory is well suited to predict the distribution of air loads over wing components and the viscous flow effect can be duly considered using the 2D aerodynamic coefficients for the airfoils used in each wing. These approaches are implemented in building a high-fidelity mathematical model for a propeller-driven airplane. Flight dynamic analysis modules for the trim, linearization, and simulation analyses were developed using the proposed techniques. The flight test results for a series of maneuvering flights with a scaled model were used for comparison with those obtained using the flight dynamics analysis modules to validate the usefulness of the present approaches. The resulting good correlations between the two data sets demonstrate that the flight characteristics of the propeller-driven airplane can be analyzed effectively through the integrated framework with the propeller and airframe aerodynamic models proposed in this study.

• International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.345-355
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• 2014

This paper focuses on aerodynamic and inertial modeling of the propeller for its applications in flight dynamics analyses of a propeller-driven airplane. Unsteady aerodynamic and inertial loads generated by the propeller are formulated using the blade element method, where the local velocity and acceleration vectors for each blade element are obtained from exact kinematic relations for general maneuvering conditions. Vortex theory is applied to obtain the flow velocities induced by the propeller wake, which are used in the computation of the aerodynamic forces and moments generated by the propeller and other aerodynamic surfaces. The vortex lattice method is adopted to obtain the induced velocity over the wing and empennage components and the related influence coefficients are computed, taking into account the propeller induced velocities by tracing the wake trajectory trailing from each of the propeller blades. Aerodynamic forces and moments of the fuselage and other aerodynamic surfaces are computed by using the wind tunnel database and applying strip theory to incorporate viscous flow effects. The propeller models proposed in this paper are applied to predict isolated propeller performances under steady flight conditions. Trimmed level forward and turn flights are analyzed to investigate the effects of the propeller on the flight characteristics of a propeller-driven light-sports airplane. Flight test results for a series of maneuvering flights using a scaled model are employed to run the flight dynamic analysis program for the proposed propeller models. The simulations are compared with the flight test results to validate the usefulness of the approach. The resultant good correlations between the two data sets shows the propeller models proposed in this paper can predict flight characteristics with good accuracy.

• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.371-399
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• 2017

The motion of propeller driven airplanes, flying at constant speed on ascending or descending helical trajectories is analyzed. The dynamical abilities of the airplane are shown to result in restrictions on the ranges of the geometrical parameters of the helical path. The physical quantities taken into account are the variation of air density with altitude, the airplane mass change due to fuel consumption, its load factor, its lift coefficient, and the thrust its engine can produce. Formulas are provided for determining all the airplane dynamical parameters on the trajectory. A procedure is proposed for the construction of tables from which the flyability of trajectories at a given angle of inclination and radius can be read, with the corresponding minimum and maximum speeds allowed, the final altitude reached and the amount of fuel burned. Sample calculations are shown for the Cessna 182, a Silver Fox like unmanned aerial vehicle, and the C-130 Hercules.

• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.551-579
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• 2018

This work is concerned with the motion of propeller driven airplanes, flying at constant velocity on ascending or descending rectilinear trajectories. Its purpose is to provide important features of rectilinear flights that are required for airplane trajectory planning but that cannot be found already published. It presents a method for calculating the amount of fuel used, the restrictions on the trajectory parameters, as inclination and speed, which result from the load factor, the lift coefficient, the positivity and upper boundedness of the power available. It presents a complete discussion of both ascending and descending flights, including gliding. Some original remarks are made about the parameters of gliding. It shows how to construct tables of parameters allowing to identify rapidly flyable trajectories. Sample calculations are shown for the Cessna 182 and a Silver Fox like unmanned aerial vehicle.

• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.53-78
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• 2020

Automatic trajectory planning is an important task that will have to be performed by truly autonomous vehicles. The main method proposed, for unmanned airplanes to do this, consists in concatenating elementary segments of trajectories such as rectilinear, circular and helical segments. It is argued here that because these cannot be expected to all be flyable at a same constant speed, it is necessary to consider segments on which the airplane accelerates or decelerates. In order to preserve the planning advantages that result from having the speed constant, it is proposed to do all speed changes at maximum deceleration or acceleration, so that they are as brief as possible. The constraints on the load factor, the lift and the power required for the motion are derived. The equation of motion for such accelerated motions is solved numerically. New results are obtained concerning the value of the angle and the speed for which the longest distance and the longest duration glides happen, and then for which the steepest, the fastest and the most fuel economical climbs happen. The values obtained differ from those found in most airplane dynamics textbooks. Example of tables are produced that show how general speed changes can be effected efficiently; showing the time required for the changes, the horizontal distance traveled and the amount of fuel required. The results obtained apply to all internal combustion engine-propeller driven airplanes.

• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.367-389
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• 2015

Simple solutions are obtained for the fuel required by internal combustion engine airplanes on trajectories with a constant rate of climb or descent. Three modes of flight are considered: constant speed, constant Mach number and constant angle of attack. Starting from the exact solutions of the equations of motion for the modes of motion considered, approximate solutions are obtained that are much easier to compute while still being quite precise. Simpler formulas are derived for the weight of fuel, speed, altitude, horizontal distance, time to climb, and power required. These formulas represent a new important contribution since they are fundamental for the analysis of aircraft dynamics and thus have direct applications for the analysis of aircraft performances and mission planning.