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3.1 Theory
3.1.1 Scaling
3.1.1.1 Geometric Scale Factor
The Scale Factor is used to compare the data gathered from the model to the full size aircraft. In
our usage of this equation we compared the model wingspan to the full size wingspan. By
multiplying by the Scale Factor you can go between the aircraft geometric plans, Reynoldss
numbers, and through the Reynoldss numbers compare the lift and drag of the full scale plane at
different speeds using the wind tunnel data.
3.1.1.2 Reynoldss Number
(Air Density @ 720ft) = 0.002327252 slug/ft^3
(Air Viscosity) = 3.737*10^(-7) slug/fts
V (Freestream Velocity)
L (Chord Length) = 0.5833 ft
The Reynoldss Number is used to predict how turbulent airflow will be around a given surface.
By calculating the number for the small wind tunnel model you can multiply by the scale factor
to get an idea of how the Reynoldss number and conversely the airflow will be around the full
size aircraft.
3.1.2 Wind Tunnel Forces and Moments Calculations
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Since the wind tunnel was only able to give us the normal and axial force of the balance we had
to geometrically convert our measurements to get the lift and drag of the aircraft. To do this we
multiplied the force measurements with the zero speed measurements subtracted by the sine or
cosine of the angle of attack, depending on whether we wanted lift or drag. To get the pitching
moment we had to subtract the recorded pitching moment by the zero speed pitching moment for
all angles of attack. To get the side force for the yaw angle we used the same equations for the
lift and drag, but this time using the side force and axial force with the sine or cosine of the yaw
angle. All of these measurements require that the zero velocity measurements are removed. In
order to do this we had to record all these points while the plane was in a zero lift/zero drag
system or when the airspeed is zero. Subtracting all future data point with the corresponding zero
points allows us to record the aerodynamic forces being generated.
Where:
L is lift in pounds
is air density in slugs/ft^3
V is free stream velocity in ft/s
S is the wing area in ft^2
3.1.3-2 Drag Coefficient
D is drag in pounds
is air density in slugs/ft^3
V is free stream velocity in ft/s
S is the wing area in ft^2
3.1.3-3 Pitching moment coefficient about the aircraft CG