Airfoil Research

Airfoil Section:

Dihedral: angle of wing above the horizontal

helps plane stability (as plane rolls, lift from low wing increases)

• 1-2 degrees is common

• some research suggests a dihedral on outer 1/3rd has similar effect to full width

makes wing somewhat more difficult to construct/ simulate performance of

Washout: Angle of incidence decreases towards wingtip

Favourable stall characteristics: wingtip stalls last, retain aileron control during a stall (can recover)

• wingroot often has up to 3 degree AOI

• Wingtip has less (sometimes 0)

makes wing somewhat more difficult to construct/ simulate performance of

Taper: Length of chord decreases towards wingtip

improves airfoil efficiency (ideal shape is elliptical)

makes wing somewhat more difficult to construct/ simulate performance of

Aspect Ratio: a measure of wing geometry (slenderness)

• Ideal varies depending on speed/purpose

  • General Aviation (cessna): 6ish

  • Cargo Aircraft: 10is

  • Gliders: 30ish

Construction/Materials:

• Both methods require a rigid Baseplate for mounting to airframe

  • Aluminum plate

  • Carbon Sheet

  • 3D printed