OPTIMUM RIDGE LIFT: A SCALED EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION

Authors

  • Edward F. Crawley Cambridge, MA
  • Michael Schmanske Cambridge, MA

Keywords:

Atmospheric physics, Aerodynamics

Abstract

A series of scaled experiments were conducted to determine the optimum region of ridge lift for soaring flight. Two ridge models were placed in the MIT Wright Brothers' Wind Tunnel and tested under simulated atmospheric flow conditions, which included variations incoming flow angle, ground roughness, and earth boundary layer. A five-hole Pitot-static probe was used to map the flow field to determine the region and intensity of maximum lift. Experimental data are presented, and correlated with a simple pilot-usable model.

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Issue

Vol. 18 No. 4 (1994)

Section

Articles

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