Development and validation of an enhanced semi-empirical method for estimation of aerodynamic characteristics of light, propeller-driven airplanes

Abstract

This study is intended to introduce an enhanced semi-empirical method for estimation of longitudinal and lateral-directional stability and control derivatives in the preliminary design phase of light airplanes. Specialised for light, single or twin propeller-driven airplanes, available state-of-the-art analytical procedures and design data compendia are combined and modified in a unique compatible method, and automated in NAMAYEH software. In the present study, modified procedures and the software structure are presented. Afterwards, the proposed method is applied to a four-place, low wing, single-engine, propeller-driven general aviation airplane. In order to validate the proposed method, the estimated aerodynamic characteristics are compared with the wind tunnel test data as well as DATCOM and VLM-based method estimations. The results indicate that the proposed method is able to predict the aerodynamic characteristics in an acceptable range of accuracy from zero-lift to stall conditions in all configurations.