This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
The Channel Wing Revisited
Technical Paper
2006-01-2387
ISSN: 0148-7191, e-ISSN: 2688-3627
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
In a recent publication NASA has declared the channel wing, usually referred to as the Custer channel wing after its inventor, to be an aerodynamic flow control approach with potential for expanding the performance envelope of aeronautical vehicles. This means there have been on the order of seventy years for the concept’s advocates to show that it deserves such an endorsement, and while theory, model tests and visionary airplanes incorporating it have created great enthusiasm, the performance of airplanes actually using the approach has been uniformly and severely disappointing. The reasons are many and include unconstrained optimism over a novel application of an old theory, incorporating the channel wing into conveniently available existing airplanes without adequately analyzing if those configuration could cope with the demands of the resulting unusual flight conditions, ignoring that the semi-circular beam wing configuration incurs increased profile drag and weight penalties over a conventional wing of the same lifting planform, and overlooking that the latter common straight wing could provide almost the equivalent lift enhancement when exposed to the same slipstream induced increased dynamic pressure. This last is demonstrated by theory and scale model tests, and while the relative simplicity of this approach is attractive - and without the above penalties associated with the channel wing - it is subject to the same concerns about control under conditions of low speed and large power effects. One channel wing airplane flight tested, to be offered in the general aviation market, was found incapable of meeting certification requirements and, while having a slight advantage in takeoff and landing performance, suffered overwhelmingly in climb and high speed capability compared to already certificated, traditionally designed twin engine airplanes available in the field. One airplane company evaluating this channel wing model summarized the situation well for all: the small advantage in field length performance achieved did not offset the concept’s many deficiencies in flight and in cost.
Recommended Content
Journal Article | Application of Synthetic Jets to Enhance the Performance of a Vertical Tail |
Technical Paper | The Impact of Effectiveness Considerations On Design Synthesis |
Technical Paper | Telescopic Wing of an Advanced Flying Automobile |
Authors
Topic
Citation
Clements, H., "The Channel Wing Revisited," SAE Technical Paper 2006-01-2387, 2006, https://doi.org/10.4271/2006-01-2387.Also In
References
- Bushnell, D. M. “Fluid Mechanics, Drag Reduction, and Advanced Configuration Aeronautics,” Langley Research Center Hampton, VA Dec. 2000
- Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft Jane’s Information Group Surrey, U.K
- Stalter, J. L. Wattson, R. K. Jr. “Wind Tunnel Tests of a Powered, Blowing Type, Circulation Control Research Airplane Model,” University of Wichita Department of Engineering Research Wichita, KS Mar. 1957
- Blick, E. F. Homer, V. “Power-on Channel Wing Aerodynamics,” Journal of Aircraft 8 No. 4 Apr. 1971 234 238
- Pasamanick, J. “Langley Full-Scale-Tunnel Tests of the Custer Channel Wing Airplane” Langley Aeronautical Laboratory Langley Field, VA 7 Apr. 1953
- “Summary Report of the Preliminary Flight Evaluation of the Custer Channel Wing, CCW-5, N5855V,” DeVore Aviation Service Corp. 29 Aug. 1968
- Thompson, W. D. Latas, J. “Flight Evaluation of the Custer Channel Wing CCW-5,” Cessna Aircraft Company, Commercial Aircraft Division Wichita, KS 14 Apr. 1971
- Gunston, B. The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft, 1875–1995 Reed Consumer Books, Ltd. London 1995 37
- Wood, K. D. Technical Aerodynamics 2nd ed. McGraw-Hill New York 1947 226 227
- Hoerner, S. Borst, H. Fluid Dynamic Lift Liselotte A. Hoerner Brick Town, NJ 1975 12 10 12 11
- Dwinnell, J. H. Principles of Aerodynamics 1st ed. McGraw-Hill New York 1949 230
- Barton, M. V. Fundamentals of Aircraft Structures Prentice-Hall New York 1948 185
- Perkins, C. D. Hage, R. E. Airplane Performance Stability and Control Wiley and Sons New York 1953 194 199
- Anderton, D. A. “How Good Is the Custer Channel Wing?” Aviation Week 58 24
- Jun. 1953 McGraw-Hill Albany, NY 28 32