Need help finding aircraft sizing software?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the search for aircraft sizing software that can calculate empty weight and fuel weights based on specific mission profiles, including parameters like L/D, cruise altitude, aspect ratio (AR), wetted area (Swet), and reference area (Sref). Users express the need for advanced programs that can integrate design sketches and perform calculations efficiently. While no software exists that can autonomously design an aircraft from a mission profile, participants suggest using MATLAB scripts for iterative calculations to streamline the design process.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of aircraft performance metrics such as L/D and fuel consumption
  • Familiarity with mission profiles in aerospace engineering
  • Basic knowledge of MATLAB programming for iterative calculations
  • Experience with aircraft design parameters like wetted area and reference area
NEXT STEPS
  • Research aircraft design software options for preliminary estimates
  • Learn MATLAB scripting for automating aircraft weight calculations
  • Explore advanced aerospace design tools that integrate CAD and performance analysis
  • Investigate methods for optimizing mission profiles in aircraft design
USEFUL FOR

Aerospace engineers, aircraft designers, and students in aerospace engineering seeking efficient methods for aircraft sizing and performance analysis.

stealthxxy
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Hey guys,

I'm looking for some software capable of allowing the user to input a specific mission profile and ultimately calculating empty weight and fuel weights providing input such as your L/D, cruise altitude, AR, Swet, Sref, ect. I'd even be interested in more advanced programs with the capability of implementing your design sketches and doing all the above calculations with a few clicks of a button. Any help/advice is well appreciated!
 
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There isn't such a piece of software. That is why you have aerospace engineers.

If you have a design, there are pieces of software that could do some of the work for you an give estimates.

But there are no pieces of software that you could input "I want to fly from London to New York" and it would design an aircraft for you.
 
Hey, this is stealthxxy (apparently there were a few mix ups due to multiple accounts, sorry about the inconvenience). Jarednjames, let me be more specific. I have already sketched multiple aircraft for specific design requirements. From these requirements, I calculated wetted areas, reference areas, L/D's, specific fuel consumptions, cruising altitudes ect. What I'm looking for is a program that could allow me to incorporate a mission profile (take off, climb, cruise, loiter, divergence ect.) and easily calculate my empty weight and fuel weight so I wouldn't have to do the iterations by hand and therefore pick a suitable design candidate in a reduced amount of time. If indeed, no such program exists, then could you point me towards some programs that do make rough estimates for you in other areas of aerospace design.
 
Just write a MATLAB script to iterate for you then. If you can do UT once by hand, MATLAB (or another language) can do it a zillion times.
 

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