Questions tagged [aircraft-design]
Questions about the different choices that aircraft designers (typically aerospace engineers) make in order to create an aircraft.
2,164
questions
3
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4answers
150 views
When was the first THS (Trimmable horizontal stabilizer) used and on what aircraft?
When was the first THS (Trimmable horizontal stabilizer) used and on what aircraft? Has any UL or GA trimmable stabilizer?
0
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0answers
22 views
What design characteristics influence helicopter wind gust spread tolerance during takeoff and landing
Not considering pilot reaction time, what factors influence a helicopter's ability to survive high wind gust spreads (from any direction) during takeoff and landing?
I have considered:
Swash plate ...
0
votes
2answers
199 views
Why did the Wright brothers take steps to increase the amount of vertical surface area forward of the CG on some of their aircraft?
Why did the Wright brothers take steps to increase the amount of vertical surface area in front of the CG on some of their aircraft?
Could this have actually improved the flight characteristics in ...
0
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2answers
52 views
How to calculate CL with the use of MTOW?
I have a problem that it gives us the MTOW of a UAV (200 kg), the speed and the reference area.
So its probably easy to find the CL knowing that it flights at steady level flight (L = W). I'm confused ...
0
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0answers
89 views
What are aerodynamical reasons behind slight dihedral or no dihedral at all? [duplicate]
Regarding general aviation single engine high wing aircrafts in particular, what are the reasons for some of them to have no dihedral at all on their wing, or slight positive dihedral angle for other?
...
1
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0answers
49 views
Why did the dividing wall separating the engine intakes of early twin-engine Westland Wessexes cause difficulties with intake anti-icing?
The Rolls-Royce1 Gnome-engined variants of the Westland Wessex helicopter family (i.e., the twin-engined versions)2 draw air for both engines from a common intake (having been designed prior to the ...
6
votes
3answers
999 views
What are the disadvantages of fitting underwing flaps to a Mirage III/5 fighter jets to lower landing speeds?
The Mirage III / 5 series of fighter aircraft are versatile aircraft, but has a high approach speed of 180 knots and a high landing speed, requiring long runways.
Underwing flaps, like those of the ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Can I use motorcycle engine in aircraft [duplicate]
I am trying to build an Aircraft, The weight of the Airplane will be around 40 Kg with engine and 8 liters of fuel and with me the total weight will be around 90 to 100 kg and I want to use a ...
1
vote
3answers
164 views
Is it possible to have an angle of incidence for a vertical stabilizer?
horizontal surfaces in airplane have small angle of incidence in general, Is it possible to have an angle of incidence for a vertical stabilizer?
Please help me to find it. Thanks!!
0
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1answer
97 views
Calculating thrust and required propeller size for a given engine power
I am looking to build an Airplane, the weight of Airplane will be around 20 to 25 kg and I am going to use a 70cc motorcycle engine as an Airplane engine.
I want to know how I can calculate the ...
0
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0answers
22 views
VLM at High Speeds and High Angle of Attack
I want to analyze a plane of the size and speed of a commercial jetliner. I have made the model of it on OpenVSP. I am using VSPAero's Vortice Lattice Method for the same. I want to analyze the plane ...
0
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0answers
19 views
Is there any go to formula in the designing of a winglet? [duplicate]
we have to design a commercial airplane as a part of a college assignment and i was wondering if there are any rule of thumb /formulas involved in the designing of winglets? Or does one have to assume ...
2
votes
1answer
114 views
What is the role of discontinuous surfaces on the inside and outside elevons of the F-117?
Why are there discontinuous surfaces on the inside and outside elevons of the stealth F-117? Will that not be highly reflective to the radar?
-2
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1answer
56 views
Where can I look for news regarding what's happening in aviation around the world? [closed]
Websites or magazines which keep me updated and where I can gain knowledge on what's happening around the world.
Apart from International Airport Review, I'm already on that.
Thanks
0
votes
1answer
40 views
Is the ratio of HP to weight constant for identical air frames of different sizes? (See Scenario)
In my head it seems logical that there would be a proportion between engine HP and empty weight. For example, the Wright Flyer weighed around 600 LBS empty and had a 12 HP engine. If I were to make an ...
2
votes
1answer
46 views
What is the threshold between high Aspect Ratios and low Aspect Ratios?
Oftentimes when describing flying organisms and vehicles, their wings are said to have a "high aspect ratio" or a "low aspect ratio". Sometimes the papers (that I read) gave the numbers, but more ...
6
votes
1answer
145 views
How can I calculate the C.G height for an Aircraft?
before I continue I would like to thank you guys beforehand for the help. I am new to this forum and in aviation in general. I am helping my professor to obtain the C.G coordinates in x, y , z for a ...
13
votes
1answer
335 views
Why does the P-3 Orion use an engine driven compressor instead of bleed air for pressurization?
In another question, an answer mentions that the P-3 Orion uses a gearbox driven compressor for cabin pressurization, even though the aircraft uses T-56 turbine engines that supply bleed air in other ...
2
votes
2answers
178 views
How does the location of a propeller affect an aircraft's stability?
Some aircraft possess propellers on front of the fuselage, like the Cessna 172, and some aircraft have propellers located at the rear of the fuselage, like the Velocity 173RG-E.
How does the ...
1
vote
3answers
484 views
The NASA X-57 uses 12 electric motors for takeoff. Does it need 12 control levers or just one?
If the NASA X-57 uses 12 motors for takeoff, does it need 12 controllers (like throttle levers), or just one?
The traditional way of engine throttle design was 1 throttle per engine, but what if you ...
0
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0answers
51 views
Aircraft belly fairing or body-to-wing fairing dimensions?
Does anyone know the dimensions of the Belly Fairing for an aircraft model B737 and A320? I am trying to find this on the internet but this information is hard to find it.
Thank you
0
votes
1answer
153 views
Design lift coefficient of an airfoil
I have the design lift coefficient of the plane during the cruise condition. Now, I want to calculate the lift coefficient required by the airfoil which makes up the wing, taking into account the ...
-1
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1answer
173 views
Can such an aircraft take off vertically?
The compressor ejects compressed air from the gap at high speed. The red arrow represents the path of compressed air. It is lift that adjusts the speed of the compressed air to adjust the aircraft.
0
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2answers
107 views
Is rudder deflection sufficient to maintain directional control on the runway at high speed, or is nose wheel steering needed?
If a fighter jet veers off the runaway, is nosewheel steering needed to counter, or can directional control be maintained with the rudder deflection alone? Is there a chance that the rudder ...
2
votes
1answer
90 views
How to define quarter-chord sweep angle for a cranked wing?
I have the values for surface area, span, aspect ratio, and quarter chord sweep angle, etc., for a general trapezoidal planform. So, I changed my wing to a single cranked wing such that surface area ...
14
votes
3answers
4k views
Are there any aircraft with a 4-wheel nose landing gear and a 16-wheel main landing gear?
Are there any aircraft with a 4-wheel nose landing gear and a 16-wheel main landing gear? I need this to answer my review of an aircraft design project.
-1
votes
1answer
64 views
Best books for learning about history of airplanes? [closed]
I've always liked airplanes, but for some reason have never retained much information about specific planes. For instance, if someone casually mentions the X-15 or the X-24, I have to look up what ...
1
vote
3answers
390 views
Is it theoretically possible to create an aircraft like this?
I was browsing through some funny airplane pictures when I came across this. An airplane with the engines replaced with the cockpit and the cockpit replaced with a huge turbofan.
I was intrigued by ...
0
votes
3answers
158 views
Are there any aircraft powered by tip jets in the propeller blade?
I am familiar with tip jet powered helicopter experiments. Is there any aircraft that use/used this mode and would it be useful to use a tip jet driven prop on aircraft instead of piston or turbine ...
1
vote
1answer
161 views
Why don’t flying-boom tankers have collapsible/frangible/breakaway refuelling booms?
There are two main types of aerial-refuelling systems in use today:
Probe-and-drogue systems reel out a hose behind the tanker, terminating with a soft conical canvas bucket; the pilot of the ...
3
votes
1answer
159 views
What are the advantages/disadvantages of a forward-folding propeller?
The AMS Carat A is a motorglider with a forward folding propeller.
To my knowledge, this is the only production plane with this characteristic. The most popular self-launching gliders with front ...
0
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0answers
48 views
what are the advantages and disadvantages of conventional tail configuration? [duplicate]
I amd a student and I dont know much. So,I need the pros and cons of having a conventional tail configuration over other configuration.
0
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1answer
151 views
In an F-18, how do rudders deflect during cross winds and gusts? Can rudders be deflected by different angles?
Deflection of rudders can balance moment about the centre of gravity. I have thought of non-symmetric deflection of rudders so that net sideward force is create to balance the moment about the center ...
1
vote
3answers
370 views
Why did some Spitfire variants have their wings clipped?
Some Spitfire variants have clipped wingtips instead of the round, elliptical wingtip. The reason for this is to increase the roll rate and low-altitude performance. My question is: How would clipping ...
3
votes
1answer
179 views
Why is the nosewheel of the MiG-29 placed in front of the engine intakes?
Why do MiG-29 have a front-wheel of landing gear placed in front of an intake? would not it throw water or stones into the intake as mentioned in Raymer?
I am designing an aircraft based on the ...
0
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0answers
33 views
What is the general trend of payload fraction for an RC propeller plane?
What is the general trend of payload vs total weight for a radio controlled propeller aircraft? I am simply using this formula:
$$Wo = \frac{Wpayload}{(1-((We/Wo)+(Wp/Wo)))}$$
I could get We/Wo (...
3
votes
1answer
286 views
What if one of the navigation lights failed to function on a certified aircraft?
What is the implication if one of the navigation lights failed to function, would it affect the airworthiness certificate of the aircraft?
14
votes
2answers
3k views
What are the pros and cons of wingtip tanks?
I am looking into the aerodynamic pros and cons of wingtip tanks. Let's assume they're perfectly streamlined, optimally placed and sized for a given airframe.
I am aware of the purpose of fuel ...
0
votes
3answers
157 views
What happens if an aircraft goes above maximum altitude? [duplicate]
We all know what happens when a plane goes overspeed... but what happens when a plane goes above their max. altitude? And why are planes certified maximum altitudes anyway? Is it because there won't ...
0
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0answers
24 views
AltFlap switch in F16 jet fighter at various stages in flight
If you apply ALT Flap in F16 the flight quality is somehow similar to the CATlll or TO/Landing gain (lower max AOA available - only 18 degrees - , roll rates halved) because this is emergency mode. ...
24
votes
1answer
7k views
Why does the F-16 canopy have a K-shaped 'latch'?
Why is the F-16 canopy latch (the yellow painted part) shaped like a K? It's a very funky shape, and I'm wondering if that functions as more than just a latch.
3
votes
2answers
184 views
Why do swept wings decrease the drag increase that occurs in transonic flows?
Swept wings are used in aircraft that fly in the transonic regime because they 1) delay the critical Mach number 2) reduce the drag increase that occurs (smaller drag divergence).
I am trying to ...
0
votes
2answers
261 views
How to reduce the noise of the supersonic passage(bang)?
as you know the transonic phase is often associate with the bang.
The principal cons of the transonic phase is the noise,it's why there is not supersonic passenger aircraft( cause the end of the ...
1
vote
2answers
198 views
Could a triplane fly using a dihedral wing in the middle?
I wonder if a triplane glider whose front view is shown in the figure can be built and flown successfully. As you can see, the middle wing has a dihedral angle, but the top and bottom wings do not. ...
19
votes
3answers
5k views
Why does Boeing use a trim wheel in the 737 and not their other products?
Why does Boeing use a trim wheel in the 737 and not any other products?
Is the trimmed state for the 737 just more important than in the 777? Or even 747?
It gives the impression that a secondary ...
0
votes
2answers
135 views
What does it mean “two plane thrust vectoring nozzle”?
It has been said that only Sukhoi 35 has the "two plane TVN" others like F 22 and Su 30MKI (produced by India under license at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) have "one plane TVN".So what the ...
2
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1answer
149 views
6
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1answer
182 views
How do aircraft manufacturers determine the elevator size?
I’ve heard some pilots say the MD-11 (I think?)was made with too much elevator, and that it’s an overkill.
So now I’m curious, how do they determine the length for the elevator? Is it possible to ...
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votes
2answers
211 views
What is the maximum height for deploying a parachute? [closed]
i see a detachable plane cabin project .When an airplane crashes, the human toll is generally heavy. Based on this observation, Vladimir Tatarenko, a Ukrainian engineer who worked in particular for ...
0
votes
2answers
187 views
How to increase payload capacity of plane?
Keeping thrust, wing span, weight (of plane) constant, can we increase the payload capacity (nearly 50% more)? Adding payload to plane, it decreases thrust/weight ratio, how does it affect the control ...
