COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

(DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING)

AERO-212

EXPERIMENT NO 1

TO STUDY THE THEORY OF FLIGHT USING FLIGHT

DEMONSTRATION WIND TUNNEL
(FLIGHT DEMONSTRATION WIND TUNNEL)

1. Objective. To study the relationship between Lift Coefficient and Angle of

Attack and calculate neutral point

2. Introduction. The experiment is to be conducted using the Flight

Demonstration Wind Tunnel. Lift force will be measured directly on the aircraft model
for different angles of attacks, while velocity will be indicated on the gauge in terms of
dynamic pressure or directly in knots.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EQUIPMENT TO BE USED

3. Flight demonstration wind tunnel is basically a small open circuit wind tunnel.
Air is sucked in from the atmosphere through a converging nozzle into the test
section. It is released back into the atmosphere via a diffuser. A honeycomb structure
at inlet improves the flow quality.

Figure 1 Flight Demonstration Tunnel and Velocity Indicator

4. It has a rectangular test section of 450 mm X 225 mm. Inside the test section,
there is Built-in, scaled down aircraft model mounted on a series of linkages and is
free to move up and down in a vertical plane. The model has variable c.g. location,
and movable elevators which can be deflected with the help of a control column.

Figure 2 A/C Model placed inside the Tunnel

5. The air speed is controlled with the help of a simulated throttle. The speed of
the flow in knots along with the dynamic pressure is indicated on a gauge in mm of
H2O

6. When the wind tunnel is running, and the air speed is sufficiently high, pulling
the control column would deflect the all moving horizontal tail downward, thus
generating a negative lift on the tail. This downward force will pivot the aircraft nose in
the upward direction, in turn increasing the wing angle of attack. This would cause the
lift to increase and the model would ‘start flying’.

7. In the test section, the aircraft model is hooked up with spring balance which
would show the amount of lift generated. Another scale will read the angle of attack.
The angle of attack is, however, not directly controllable. It is varied indirectly by
varying the elevator angle.

Figure 2 Linkages for Values of Lift and AoA

8. Technical Data.

(a) Test Section Size 450 mm X 225 mm

(b) Maximum Air Speed 17 m/s (33 knots)
(c) Take Off Speed 15 m/s (29 knots)
(d) Power Supply 220 V, 3 Phase. 50 Hz
(e) Model Wing Section NACA 0012
(f) Model Wing Span 220mm
(g) Model Wing Chord 152mm
(h) Model Tail plane Chord 76mm
(j) Model Wing Area 0.033m2
(k) Distance b/w model quarter chord
to tail plane quarter chord 228mm

9. Notations.

(a) Density of Air = ρ (kg/m3)

(b) Wing Area = S = 0.033 m2
(c) Lift Force, Total = L (Newtons)
(d) Free Stream Velocity = V (m/s) -------- (Vmax = 17 m/s = 33 knots)
(e) Coefficient of Lift = CL
(f) Angle of Attack = (Degrees)
(g) Elevator Angle = (Degrees)
(h) Dynamic Pressure = h = ½ρV2 (mm H2O)-----(1mm H2O = 9.81 N/m2)

DESCRIPTION OF EXPERIMENTAL WORK

10. Experimental work on the flight demonstration wind tunnel can be performed by
two methods.In the first method, the aim is to demonstrate and experience the
mechanisms of aircraft flight during take-off, climb, cruise, and landing. For this mode
of operation, the model linkages have to be disconnected from the spring balance
(located on the back side of wind tunnel). The proper combination of the throttle and
control column deflection in order to achieve the desired mode of flight has to be
practiced by the students.
11. In the second method, the model linkages are connected to the spring balance.
The lift force acting on the model in this case will not make it climb but will cause the
spring balance to deflect, thus displaying the force in Newtons. This force is then
converted into lift coefficient,CL.Another scale indicates the angle of attack. For
different positions of the control column, there would be different angles of attack and
different values of CL. A graph can then be plotted between C L and angle of attack (
), which is universally known as the “Lift Curve”.

THEORY

12. Relationship between Lift and Angle of Attack. The relation between lift
force and angle of attack of an aircraft is a very important parameter in the
specifications of an aircraft. It is usual to express the lift force in terms of a
dimensionless lift coefficient. The coefficient is calculated by dividing the lift force by
the product of the dynamic pressure of the air and the planform area of wing. The
DynamicPressure is the amount by which the pressure measured by a pressure
tapping at the leading edge of the wing exceeds the surrounding air pressure remote
from the wing; it is the pressure sensed by the airspeed indicator on an aircraft and by
the indicator on our wind tunnel, which shows it directly on the gauge.

DynamicPressure = ½ ρ V2 = 9.81h, Newton/meter2

Plan area of aerofoil = Gross wing area taken through to centre line of aircraft.
= S, meter2
Hence ½ ρ V2S = pressure * area, Newton
Lift = L, Newton

= = Coefficient of Lift CL (Dimensionless)

13. Neutral point Determination. By using change of C.G location we would

determine plot the trim curves and using the slopes of the trim curves, Neutral point
would be calculated.

15. Note that the DynamicPressure for a given speed depends on the air density.
Our air speed indicator is calibrated for air at standard pressure (760 mm Hg) and
20oC. At other atmospheric conditions the air speed will not be exactly correct but the
dynamic pressure scale will be unaffected.

OPERATING PROCEDURE

16. Checks before Operation.

(a) Check for foreign objects e.g. screws, nuts, tools, or any other loose
part, which might be present on the floor of the test section.

(b) Examine the test section plastic doors for security and safety.
 (c) Check the honeycomb structure and fan area for any damage and
presence of foreign objects.

17. Start the tunnel and adjust the speed as advised by your instructor, the first
group should run the tunnel at maximum speed (approximately 30 knots) and then
each group should reduce the speed of tunnel by almost two units as per the gauge
pressure. Note down the value of dynamic pressure from the gauge. Each group
should take two sets of readings.

18. Adjust the elevator angle as zero and note down the model AoA and lift
produced from the scales at the rear of the tunnel. Vary the elevator angle to 20
degrees with increment of two degrees, and note down the required readings.

19. Submit the readings to your instructor.

20. Following the procedure as outlined in paragraph 12 to 14, perform the

calculations on the attached Lab Report.

21. Lab Report Format of Lab Report with guidance for performing the
calculations is attached. Write down all observations and perform calculations on the
same report. The report should include:-

(a) Observation charts and tables

(b) Graph of CLvs.
(c) Indicate on the above graph
(i) Zero lift AOA
(ii) Lift Curve slope
(iii) Stalling AOA if possible
(d) Compare the results with theoretical results for NACA 0012 airfoil (using
www.airfoiltools.com).
(e) Compute Neutral point for the model
(f) Discuss the stall behavior of the A/C by utilizing the flow visualization
technique being used over it.

23. Background Reading. Further knowledge or any clarifications may be

sought from following references:-
(a) “Aerodynamics for Engineering Students” by Houghten and Brook

(b) “Aerodynamics” by L J Clancy

(c) “Low Speed Wind tunnel Testing” by Pope and Harper

(d) “Theory of Wing Sections” by Abbot

 (e) “Fundamentals of Aerodynamics” by John D Anderson

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

o Know locations of laboratory safety showers, eye wash stations, and fire
extinguishers. The safety equipment may be located in the hallway near the
laboratory entrance.
o Know emergency exit routes.
o Avoid distracting or startling persons working in the laboratory.
o Use equipment only for its designated purpose.
o Determine the potential hazards and appropriate safety precautions before
beginning any work.
o Avoid working alone in a building. Do not work alone in a laboratory if the
procedures being conducted are hazardous.
o All equipment should be regularly inspected for wear or deterioration.
o Designated and well-marked waste storage locations are necessary.
o Avoid wearing jewelry in the lab as this can pose multiple safety hazards.

LAB ASSESSMENT RUBRICS (PLO-5, P3)

Below
Outstanding Good Average Poor
SNO Assessment Parameters Average
(05) (04) (03) (01)
(02)
Safety Procedures
1
(x1.5)
Equipment Handling and
2 Operations
(x1.5)
Group Participation
3
(x1)
Individual Performance*
4
(x 6)
Methodology adopted
5
(x5)
Accuracy and Critical
6 Analysis of Results
(x5)
Total
* To be assessed by Quizzes after every 4-5 labs’ performance