Analytical Study of Three-Surface Lifting Systems

Conventional, canard, and three surface aircraft configurations are investigated analytically to determine each configuration's induced drag, as well as the pressure and viscous drag. A vortex panel method in conjunction with momentum integral boundary layer method is used to predict inviscid and viscous characteristics. Vortex lattice methods are used to trim the aircraft as well as to predict the induced drag of each configuration.

Viscous and induced drag results are presented for two different payloads, a six-place and a twelve-place configuration. For both payloads the conventional configuration had the highest lift over drag. However, the canard and the three surface were close enough to warrant consideration based on other criteria.