THE DESIGN AND TESTING OF A WINGLET AIRFOIT FOR LOW-SPEED AIRCRAFT

Authors

  • Mark Maughmer The Pennsylvania State University University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
  • Timothy Swan The Pennsylvania State University University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
  • Steven Willits The Pennsylvania State University University Park, Pennsylvania 16802

Keywords:

Aerodynamics, Design

Abstract

The PSU 94-097 airfoil has been designed for use on winglets of high-performance sailplanes. The design problem is difficult because the airfoil must operate over a wide range of Reynolds numbers, and this range includes values that are relatively low. To validate the design tools, as well as the design itself, the airfoil was tested in the Penn State Low-Speed, Low-Turbulence Wind Tunnel from Reynolds numbers of 2.4 x 10^5 to 1.0 x 10^6. In addition to free-transition measurements, potential drag reductions using artificial turbulators were explored, although the benefits were found to be limited for this application. Finally, performance predictions from two well-known computer codes are compared to the data obtained experimentally, and both are found to generate results that are in good agreement with the wind-tunnel measurements.

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Issue

Vol. 26 No. 3 (2002)

Section

Articles

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