1
$\begingroup$

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_sled

When an aircraft is designed there is no way to find out if the maximum cruise speed is achievable with the chosen engine + wing + fuselage combination, and at what fuel flow.

Would it make sense to secure a section of high speed rail ( upto 320 kmh at least) to test full scale non flying models of light aircraft to get a better idea of what speeds could be achieved?

The fuselage could be sculpted and changed repeatedly in a short time to test various drag reducing measures and forces could be measured accurately in real time. Acceleration times to take off speed could also be measured.

Edit: It does not have to be a rocket sled, just a tracked vehicle with the full size aircraft mounted on it as it is in this case with the NASA full size wind tunnel:

https://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/images/content/109858main_AC91-0255-76.jpg

For designers of kit planes and LSAs, full size tunnel time does not seem to be an option, I don't know. The design team do well to mount their plywood or GRP prototype with its engine attached and run in on the track, controlled remotely and with some capability for movement up and down and limited movement in roll and pitch. An on-board pilot may be an option.

To test a new propeller or a cowling, or fuselage shape, or retractable gear, wing design even, cycle times would be shorter, I think. The time to build a load bearing aerostructure, wait for good weather, time for take-off, climb and landing, not to mention test pilot time, all these would be reduced to zero - and postponed to a later stage once the design is finalized. All that is needed is to built a mock up capable of standing up to the forces on the track (2km should be OK) and the control system as well as the engine.

A typical test cycle would be as follows:

Build mock up Test run on track and obtain data Perform modification (replace cowl, wings, propeller etc) Repeat the above

Considerable time and cost would be saved on the aerostructure, pilot time, fuel cost and safety would be very much better. Handling and stall behavior also could be safely tested out.

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
3
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Usually aerodynamic measurements like this are performed in a wind tunnel. it's much easier and space-efficient to accelerate the air around the object than to accelerate the object itself. $\endgroup$
    – rauberdaniel
    Commented Jul 4, 2019 at 15:48
  • $\begingroup$ @rauberdaniel Please add that as an answer. $\endgroup$
    – Bianfable
    Commented Jul 4, 2019 at 15:53
  • $\begingroup$ Can you be sure that the wind tunnel data will provide you a guarantee of maximum speed and fuel flow? If aeronautical science is advanced to that stage I am ok with it. $\endgroup$
    – stackex555
    Commented Jul 4, 2019 at 15:57

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
7
$\begingroup$

No, it doesn't make sense because there are better alternatives:

  • Computer models: fluid dynamics programs are very good at simulating airflow over a 3d model
  • Wind tunnel testing: In a wind tunnel the airplane model stays in the same place and air is blown over it. Smoke can be added to show vortices, and cameras can record it

There are practical problems with rocket sleds:

  • A rocket sled would be much harder to get video from
  • It would be challenging to keep a rocket sled at a completely consistent speed
  • Rockets only last a few seconds, you'd only get a bit of data at a time
Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ Not to mention that a bit of experience should give you a pretty decent ballpark answer. $\endgroup$
    – jamesqf
    Commented Jul 4, 2019 at 18:24
1
$\begingroup$

Atmospheric conditions on the ground and at the altitude you are expected to be in cruise speed are VERY different.

The results wouldn't be valid anyway.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ Very good point! If you've ever done low-level flying - even takeoffs and landings - you will have noticed that the plane flies differently in ground effect. $\endgroup$
    – jamesqf
    Commented Jul 5, 2019 at 17:20

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .