Fin Buffeting Characteristics of a Generic Single Fin Aircraft

Abstract

Experiments have been performed to investigate the fin buffeting characteristics of a generic single fin aircraft. A variety of configurations, including high wing, mid wing and low wing have been examined, some with the addition of leading edge extensions, foreplanes and cheek intakes. The fin buffeting was measured using a flexible fin, which was related to the buffet pressure flowfield using data from an alternative, pressure tapped, rigid fin. Results have been obtained over a wide range of angles of attack at low subsonic speeds. The production of upstream vortices affects the progression of the primary wing vortex with angle of attack to alter the fin buffeting response. The results indicate that the high wing configurations are sensitive to the presence of additional vortex pairs emanating from forebody features. For low wing configurations, peak buffeting magnitudes may be significantly affected by foreplane incidence in a canard configuration. The interaction between foreplane, wing and body vortices is complex and may result in either reduced or increased levels of buffeting response.