Need help finding aircraft sizing software?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the search for aircraft sizing software that can calculate empty and fuel weights based on specific mission profiles and design parameters. Users express that while no software can fully automate the design process from a mission statement, there are programs that can assist with certain calculations and provide estimates. One participant suggests using MATLAB to automate iterative calculations, highlighting its capability for handling complex computations efficiently. The conversation emphasizes the need for software that simplifies the design process while acknowledging the limitations of current tools. Ultimately, the thread seeks recommendations for software that can aid in aerospace design tasks.
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.
 
Due to the constant never ending supply of "cool stuff" happening in Aerospace these days I'm creating this thread to consolidate posts every time something new comes along. Please feel free to add random information if its relevant. So to start things off here is the SpaceX Dragon launch coming up shortly, I'll be following up afterwards to see how it all goes. :smile: https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacex/

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