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Introduction

If an object falls toward the Earth without air resistance, about what point will it tend to rotate? The center of gravity is where the mass of an object is concentrated or balanced. Therefore, an object tends to rotate about that point. Air resistance affects this rotation. In this activity you will calculate the location of the center of gravity for an aircraft which affects its stability.

1.2.3

Weight and Balance

Brian Maquez

Aerospace 4th

Procedure

1. Determine if the aircraft below is loaded within the manufacturer’s recommendation. The pilot weights 165 lb and there is no co-pilot. The rear seat passengers weigh 251 and 296 lb. There is 98 lb of baggage and 58 lb of fuel on board.

2. If the aircraft is not loaded according to the manufacturer’s recommendation then suggest an alternative loading scenario so that the aircraft is safely loaded.

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Introduction

Our atmosphere is a fragile blanket that surrounds the Earth. This mixture of gases containing mostly Nitrogen is crucial for us to survive and aircraft to fly. The atmosphere is cooler and lower pressure as one moves from the surface of the Earth to the frigid vacuum of space. The atmosphere being cooler, lower pressure and lower density has a significant impact on aircraft performance.

The rate has been measured and modeled as a formula. In this activity you will calculate the pressure and temperature at various altitudes.

1.2.4

Atmosphere Calculator

Brian Maquez

Aerospace 4th

We were told to create a working atmosphere calculator in which our input was an altitude. the output should give us the temperature, pressure, and density. The project was created on an excel spreadsheet.

Discussion

We each created an excel document that calculated temperature, pressure, and density at a certain altitude. We all helped each other when anyone needed help .

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1.2.6

Airfoil Simulation

Brian Maquez

Aerospace 4th

Introduction

Method

Airfoils have a complex geometry designed to direct airflow. This velocity change results in forces that affect aircraft performance. This can be simulated using a computer to provide an estimate of expected performance.�In this activity you will determine the relationship between airfoil shape and the coefficient of lift and drag.

1. Start the computer and launch the FoilSim applet or FoilSim online version which can be found at http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/foil3.html (Links to an external site.).�2. Open the Activity 1.2.6 Airfoil Simulation Comparison Microsoft Excel template. Use this to document the constraints assigned to you and the data which you collect.�3. Design the airfoil to achieve the results given by your teacher.�a. Use the geometry assigned by your teacher eg. symmetric, high center, flat plate, flat bottom, negative camber, ellipse or curve plate.

b. Change the Lift and Drag to Cl and Cd to compare results.

c. Your airfoil shape results can be seen graphically using the gauges button as shown below. The final quantitative results are available using the Data tab.

4. Set the First Angle of Attack to -20O and the Final Angle of Attack to 20O and the Angle of Attack Step to 5O. Record the Cl and Cd for each angle of attack.�5. Follow the direction of the teacher for how to submit your observations.

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1.2.8

Airfoil

Brian Maquez

Aerospace 4th

Drag v. Speed

Drag v. Angle

Lift v. Angle

Lift v. Speed

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1.2.10

Airfoil

Brian Maquez

Aerospace 4th

Introduction

Have you ever tried to fly a glider? Have you made something with balsa wood before? In this project you will learn to do both. This design challenge provides glider constraints to create a glider design using the AERY software package.

Method

1. Use the Challenge One glider constraints shown below.

2. Start the AERY glider design software.

3. Click File then New Design.

4. Create a glider design that meets the constraints provided.

5. Modify the design as necessary to achieve stability. Confirm the aircraft stability by clicking Analysis then Will It Fly?

6. When your design is stable, print out two copies of the design.

7. Save the design to the location indicated by the teacher.

8. Enter one design print in your engineering notebook for use with the Challenge Two. The second print will be for your final design report.

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