A Close-Coupled Canard, Technology Demonstration Aircraft for General Aviation Applications

From the literature, theoretical analyses and subscale windtunnel aerodynamic investigations of canard aircraft configurations indicate benefits which are enhanced by close-coupling the canard to the wing. To properly evaluate the advantages and to investigate some solutions to the problems associated with the close-coupled canard, a full-scale aircraft development was initiated. A dual purpose of this development was to create a proof-of- concept vehicle designed to satisfy a general aviation requirement, and demonstrate a subsonic, close-coupled canard technology. This paper describes the development together with the aerodynamic considerations of the design. Ultimately, flight-test data are to be used in establishing correlations with windtunnel model data and analytical methodology.