How to Design an Airfoil for High Altitude Using XFLR5?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on designing an airfoil for high altitude using XFLR5, specifically targeting a 2,000m altitude with a 0.8m chord and an 80m/s velocity. Key considerations include selecting a NACA 4/5 digit airfoil that operates close to stall while managing thickness and camber. Participants emphasize the importance of calculating Mach and Reynolds numbers to input into XFLR5, and reference the Lockheed U2 as a high-altitude example, noting that 2,000m is not classified as high altitude.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of XFLR5 software for airfoil analysis
  • Knowledge of NACA airfoil classifications
  • Familiarity with aerodynamic principles such as Mach and Reynolds numbers
  • Basic concepts of stall characteristics in airfoil design
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the impact of altitude on airfoil performance using XFLR5
  • Learn how to calculate and interpret Mach and Reynolds numbers for airfoil design
  • Explore the characteristics of NACA 4/5 digit airfoils in detail
  • Investigate the effects of wing loading on stall behavior in airfoil design
USEFUL FOR

Aerodynamics students, aerospace engineers, and anyone involved in airfoil design and analysis using XFLR5.

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Hey Everyone, so I have just started Aerodynamics and having completed a number of exercises I'm being asked to design an airfoil. I'm a bit outta my dept as I've transferred into this course from a diff field.

1. Homework Statement
To design an airfoil, using the knowledge you've acquired in XFLR5, according to these criteria:


-2,000m
-0.8 m chord
-80m/s velocity
-Not too thin
-Operates close to stall
-naca 4/5 digit
-For help look at the Lockheed U2 example

Homework Equations


Okay so the information is a bit limited, considering I'm dealing with 2D airfoil, how do I know what is required of a high altitude aircraft? I've searched google for ages but info seems limited and the books are similar.
What type of values am I looking for in regard to the coefficients.

The Attempt at a Solution


I assume that I attain Mach Number and reynolds numbers using the usual equations and so can unput that into xflr. I've already completed exercises examining the effect of mach, reynolds no.,thickness and camber in regards to four digit naca profiles.

Thanks
 
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Thanks for the post! Sorry you aren't generating responses at the moment. Do you have any further information, come to any new conclusions or is it possible to reword the post?
 
2000m is not considered high altitude. The U2 could fly above 21,000m, which then brings concerns over such low density air, but affected engine performance and control more than the type of airfoil (debatably).

I'm not familiar with the program you mention. Can you give more specifics into what it does, and what it requires? From the given data, the hardest part is probably going to be finding one that operates close to stall.

Definitely a good start to find density, Mach number, Reynolds, etc. Should all be fairly simple to find.
 
Is 2,000 m the altitude (since 80 meters / second seems too fast for a 2 meter wing span)? "Operates close to stall" could apply to any airfoil if the amount of wing loading (weight per square meter) is high enough, but this isn't specified, and I don't know how you would specify wing loading for a 2d airfoil, so you could just choose an arbitrary angle of attack close to stall.
 

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