This content is not included in your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
Flight Investigation of Natural Laminar Flow on the Bellanca Skyrocket II
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
Two major concerns have inhibited the use of natural laminar flow (NLF) for viscous drag reduction on production aircraft. These are the concerns of achieveability of NLF on practical airframe surfaces, and maintainability in operating environments. Previous research in this area left a mixture of positive and negative conclusions regarding these concerns. While early (pre-1950) airframe construction methods could not achieve NLF criteria for waviness, several modern construction methods (composites for example) can achieve the required smoothness. This paper presents flight experiment data on the achieveability and maintainability of NLF on a high-performance, single-propeller, composite airplane, the Bellanca Skyrocket II. The significant contribution of laminar flow to the performance of this airplane was measured. Observations of laminar flow in the propeller slipstream are discussed, as are the effects of insect contamination on the wing. These observations have resulted in a new appreciation of the operational feasibility for achieving and maintaining NLF on modern airframe surfaces.
Recommended Content
Authors
Topic
Citation
Holmes, B., Obara, C., Gregorek, G., Hoffman, M. et al., "Flight Investigation of Natural Laminar Flow on the Bellanca Skyrocket II," SAE Technical Paper 830717, 1983, https://doi.org/10.4271/830717.Also In
References
- Loftin, L. K., Jr., "Subsonic Aircraft: Evolution and the Matching of Size to Performance," NASA RP 1060, 1980.
- Holmes, B. J., and Obara, C. J., "Observations and Implications of Natural Laminar Flow on Practical Airplane Surfaces," ICAS Paper 82- 5.1.1, 1982.
- Anon, "Final Report on LFC Aircraft Design Data Laminar Flow Control Demonstration Program," Northrop Corp. Rep. NOR 136 (Contract AF 33657-13930), June 1967. (Also available from DDC as AD 819-317.)
- Bushnell, D. M.; and Tuttle, M. H., "Survey and Bibliography on Attainment of Laminar Flow Control in Air Using Pressure Gradient and Suction," NASA R P 1035, vol. I, 1979.
- Payne, H. E., "Laminar Flow Rethink- Using Composite Structure," SAE Paper 760473, 1976.
- Gregorek, G. M., Hoffman, M. J., Payne, H. E., and Harris, J. P., "Drag Evaluation of the Bellanca Skyrocket II," SAE Paper 770472, 1977.
- Gregorek, G. M.; Hoffman,M. J.; Freuler, R. J., Holmes, B. J., and Obara C. J., "Flight Performance of a Natural Laminar Flow Airfoil on a Composite Single Engine Business Airplane," AIAA Paper 83-0055, 1983.
- Pringle, G. E., and Main-Smith, J. D., "Boundary Layer Transition Indicated by Sublimation," Brit. RAE Tech. Note AERO No. 1652 (ARC 8892), 1945.
- Main-Smith, J. D., "Chemical Solids as Diffusible Coating Films for Visual Indication of Boundary Layer Transition in Air and Water," R&M No. 2755, Brit. A.R.C., 1950.
- Owen, P. R., and Ormerod, A. O., "Evaporation From the Surface of a Body in an Airstream," R&M No. 2875 Brit. A.R.C., 1951.
- Holmes, B. J., "Low Speed Airspeed Calibration Data for a Single Engine Research Support Airplane. NASA TM 81832, 1980.
- Braslow, A. L., and Knox, E. C, "Simplified Method for Determination of Critical Height of Distributed Roughness Particles for Boundary layer Transition at Mach Numbers from 0 to 5," NACA TN 4363, 1958.
- Smith, F., and Higton, D. J., "Flight Tests on a King Cobra FZ 440 to Investigate the Practical Requirements for the Achievement of Low Profile Drag Coefficients on a "Low Drag" Aerofoil," R&M No. 2375, Brit. A.R.C., 1950.
- Stevens, W. A., Goradia, S. H., and Braden, J. A., "Mathematical Model for Two-Dimensional Multi-Component Airfoils in Viscous Flow," NASA CR-1843, 1971.
- Hermann Schlichting,, "Boundary Layer Theory," Sixth Edition, McGraw Hill, New York, NY, 1968.
- Hefner, J. N., and Bushnell, D. M., "Status of Linear Boundary Layer Stability Theory and the en Method, With Emphasis on Swept-Wing Applications," NASA TP 1645, 1980.
- Viken, J. K., "Aerodynamic Design Considerations and Theoretical Results for a High Reynolds Number Natural Laminar Flow Airfoil," Masters Thesis, George Washington University, January 1983.
- Srokowski, A. J. and Orszag, S. A., "Mass Flow Requirements for LFC Wing Design," AIAA Paper 77-122, 1977.
- Abbott, I. H., von Doenhoff, A. E., and Stivers, L. S., Jr., "Summary of Airfoil Data," NACA TR 824, 1945.
- Beasley, W. P., and McGhee, R. J., "Experimental and Theoretical Low-Speed Aerodynamic Characteristics of NACA 651-213, a = 0.50, Airfoil," NASA TM X-3160, 1975.
- Young, A. D., and Morris, D. E., "Note on Flight Tests on the Effect of Slipstream on Boundary Layer Flow," R&M No. 1957, Brit. A.R.C., 1939.
- Young, A. D., and Morris, D. E., "Further Note on Flight Tests on the Effect of Slipstream on Boundary-Layer Flow," RAE Rep. No. B.A. 1404b, 1939.
- Hood, M. J., and Gaydos, M. E., "Effects of Propellers and Vibration on the Extent of Laminar Flow on the NACA 27-212 Airfoil," NACA ACR (W R L-784), 1939.
- Wenzinger, C. J., "Wind Tunnel Investigation of Several Factors Affecting the Performance of a High Speed Pursuit Airplane With Air-Cooled Engine," NACA ACR, Nov. 1941. (Also available as 82N74537 from NTIS.)
- Zalovcik, J. A., "Flight Investigation of the Boundary Layer and Profile Drag Characteristics of Smooth Wing Sections on a P-47D Airplane," NACA WR L-86, 1945.
- Zalovcik, J. A., and Skoog, R. B., "Flight Investigation of Boundary Layer Transition and Profile Drag of an Experimental Low-Drag Wing Installed on a Fighter-Type Airplane," NACA WR L- 94, 1945.
- Eppler, R., and Somers, Dan M., "A Computer Program for the Design and Analysis of Low Speed Airfoils," NASA TM 80210, 1980.
- Emmons, H. W., "Laminar Turbulent Transitions in a Boundary Layer," Part I, J. Aero. Sci., vol. 18, no. 7, 1951, Part II Proceedings, 1st National Conference for Applied Mechanics, Edward Brothers, Ann Arbor, Ml, 1952.
- Boermans, L. M. M., and Selen, H. J. W., "Design and Tests of Airfoils for Sailplanes With an Application to the ASW-19B," ICAS Paper 82-5.5.2, 1982.