Airfoils
03-08-2004, 03:35 PM
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Airfoils
I am thinking about giving scratch builind a try. My first question is about airfoils. Can someone tell me how to get started in figuring out what shape and how much surface area the wing should have? I plan on builing a trainer style for my first one.
03-08-2004, 06:44 PM
#2
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RE: Airfoils
Get 2 books..
"R/C Model Aircraft Design" by Andy Lennon
"Model Aircraft Aerodynamics" by Martin Simons.
Both available from Amazon.com
They have all the useful knowledge anyone could need.
"R/C Model Aircraft Design" by Andy Lennon
"Model Aircraft Aerodynamics" by Martin Simons.
Both available from Amazon.com
They have all the useful knowledge anyone could need.
03-08-2004, 08:11 PM
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RE: Airfoils
On top of the books download and look over lots of plans off the web. Study their sizes and structural details and ask yourself why they do each and every little bit the way they do. Come back and ask if you can't figure things out. Even looking over the specs of those dreaded ARF models can help a lot to figure out how large to make your design.
Hint, chose a Clark Y airfoil for your trainer type model. Easy to build and a proven performer. But don't just trace around your shoe and add a flat bottom. Download Profili 2 at www.profili2.com and use the real McCoy.
As for how much area it all depends on what engine you are planning on and how you want to make the model. A 40 is often used on 50 to 56 inch span models from 500 to 600 sq inches. But then along comes a famously successful model design like the Kadet Senior or the Senior Telemaster that uses that same 40 to fly a model of around 750 to 800 sq inches. Makes you want to stop and think, don't it...
It's a steep learning curve but it's wonderfully rewarding to see your OWN design in the air. Get some concept numbers down and come on back. We'll be here for ya.
Hint, chose a Clark Y airfoil for your trainer type model. Easy to build and a proven performer. But don't just trace around your shoe and add a flat bottom. Download Profili 2 at www.profili2.com and use the real McCoy.
As for how much area it all depends on what engine you are planning on and how you want to make the model. A 40 is often used on 50 to 56 inch span models from 500 to 600 sq inches. But then along comes a famously successful model design like the Kadet Senior or the Senior Telemaster that uses that same 40 to fly a model of around 750 to 800 sq inches. Makes you want to stop and think, don't it...
It's a steep learning curve but it's wonderfully rewarding to see your OWN design in the air. Get some concept numbers down and come on back. We'll be here for ya.
03-09-2004, 10:31 AM
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RE: Airfoils
http://www.mmaa-modelairplanes.org/fun_stuff.htm
"Airplane design calculator" ... it will help you to estimate wing span, lenght, surfaces, CG ...
"Profili" is a great program for airfoil printing and I also recommend Clark Y.
"Airplane design calculator" ... it will help you to estimate wing span, lenght, surfaces, CG ...
"Profili" is a great program for airfoil printing and I also recommend Clark Y.
03-09-2004, 05:34 PM
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RE: Airfoils
For a huge listing of airfoils, check the following links:
http://www.aae.uiuc.edu/m-selig/ads/aircraft.html (sorted by plane) (TRIVIA- check out the airfoil used for Piper Cub- surprise, it's not a Clark Y.
http://www.aae.uiuc.edu/m-selig/ads/coord_database.html (sorted by airfoil)
http://www.aae.uiuc.edu/m-selig/ads.html (lots of links)
http://www.ctaz.com/~kelcomp/airfoils5.html (NACAWIN program, free 30 day trial, will plot tapered wings, multiple airfoils, etc)
BO
http://www.aae.uiuc.edu/m-selig/ads/aircraft.html (sorted by plane) (TRIVIA- check out the airfoil used for Piper Cub- surprise, it's not a Clark Y.
http://www.aae.uiuc.edu/m-selig/ads/coord_database.html (sorted by airfoil)
http://www.aae.uiuc.edu/m-selig/ads.html (lots of links)
http://www.ctaz.com/~kelcomp/airfoils5.html (NACAWIN program, free 30 day trial, will plot tapered wings, multiple airfoils, etc)
BO
