ORIGINAL: blwblw
It's all science. It does seem like voodoo to some people. I disagree that there are too many variables. For pattern, there is a finite set to deal with as in real planes. If the designers of real planes had that attitude, we would still be losing test pilots every day! Of course speed plays a factor. It's a plane. This isn't a big mystery and it certainly is easier than rotary wing aerodynamics.
The aerodynamic design for pattern is already changing. People just aren't noticing it yet. There are a few things I could do with my Widebody that would definately be different, but I'm just not inclined to mess around with it right now. Other people are. There is plenty of room to improve on the pattern that we fly right now.
Then design a pattern plane and get back to me. Been there, done that, quite a few times.
We don't have wind tunnels. We don't have million dollar budgets and teams working day in and day out figuring out the intricacies. It's usually just a few guys coming up with a solid idea, building it, flying it, and saying "yep" or "nope". Aerodynamic design is very specific to a particular airframe and what you intend to do with it. We aren't Boeing. And to keep things in a constant state of flux, we keep changing the "what we intend to do with it" part. So many of the constants...aren't.
I think we may be discussing different levels of design. us pattern guys are chasing absolute perfection, and it doesn't exist. Some things just work better than others. I could design a flying box that would fly great, but it's not what I'm looking for. Same with the rest of the designers.
"voodoo" is just an expression many of us use...it refers to the unknowns that seem to either bless you or bite you in the arse, no matter what the math said. It's real. I think my test pilots would be fine with my attitude, I haven't lost one yet [8D]
Now I have to load up and get to Andersonville for a contest.
-Mike