Aerodynamic Performance Analysis Of A Low-Speed Acrobatic Airplane By Numerical Simulation

Abstract

The goal of this work is to simulate and to analyze, by means of the CFD
commercial code FLUENT®, the flow around a low-speed acrobatic airplane, the ENAER T-
35 PILLAN, with similar characteristics to the most light civil airplanes, widely used
anywhere in the world. Specifically, the aerodynamic loads on the structure are required,
specifying the critical conditions of flight and the consequent load distributions on the
airplane according to the application of norm FAR-23. Finally, the worst flight conditions
happen at the cruise speed (Mach 0.25) and maximum load factor. In this condition the lift
and drag forces, bending and torsion moments at the main spar of the wing are maximum,
even greater than for the highest speed of flight (Mach 0.37). Finally, a series of graphs were
made to considering the maximum loads on the wing as function of the speed of flight and the
angle of attack.