Foot Launch Sailplane

Wing Optimization

Presented by:
Constantin Nicolinco
Ahmad Kalaji

Introduction
Sailplanes: aircrafts without engines
Launched via aero tow, winch,
slingshot, or even automobile tow

Introduction
Most Sailplanes optimized for cross
country soaring
Narrow and slender wings, low drag,
but high take-off speed

Maupin Carbon Dragon

Developed in the late 80s
Designed for foot launch
V-LOF of11.6 m/s

Problem Statement
Minimize the takeoff
speed of the

Carbon Dragon microlift sailplane by

changing several wing parameters,
while maintaining the wing loading
under 18kg/m2 and a total empty
weight of no more than 70kg.

Work Distribution
Constantin N
Structure Optimizer
Existing Design Review
Report Writing

Ahmad K
Aerodynamic Solver
MDF Integration
CAD

Existing Configuration
Parameter
Length
Wingspan
Wing Area
Aspect Ratio
Airfoil
Root Chord
Tip Chord
G Limits

Value
6.1 m
13.41 m
14.246 m^2
12.62:1
Culver SD
61.2 in
22.5 in
+/- 7.5g ultimate,
+/- 5 g load limit

Max Glide Ratio

Sink Rate
Wing Loading
Empty CG
Pilot CG

25:1
0.51
10.6
0.98
1.15

at 56km/h
m/s
kg/m^2
m aft wing L.E.
m fwd wing L.E.

Component
Wings
Vertical Tail
Horizontal Tail
Fuselage
Total Empty
Weight

Weight (lb)
75
5
8
57.4
145.4 (65.5 kg)

Design Variables,
Constraints, and
Parameters

Design Variables
Wing span

Parameter
Cruise Altitude
Airfoil
Material
Fuselage and Empennage
Weight and Structure

Taper ratio
Root chord

Constraint
Max Takeoff Speed
MTOW
Wingspan
Max Wing Load
Max Wing
Deflection
Minimum Root
Airfoil Thickness
Taper Ratio

Value (SI)
< 10 m/s
< 70 kg
< 15 m
< 18 kg/m2
< 20 degrees
> 0.05 m
0<&>1

MDO Architecture and

Optimizer
MDF Architecture

G.A. Optimizer

G.A. Optimizer

Design
Variables

Max CL

Aerodynamic Solver
(Modified Tornado)

Weight
Forces &
Moment
s

Design
Variables

Structural Solver
(Finite Element Based)

Aerodynamic Solver
VLM
Modified version of
Tornado
Eliminates user input
Automates Analysis
Obtains CLmax

CLmax Determination
Created a new function within
Tornado
Increases angle of attack until
any section goes above limit
Limit obtained using the 2D
max CL
Conservative approach since
stops whenever a single
section stalls

Validation

Cessna 172
NACA 2412
Span: 35 10
Root Chord: 5 4
Tip Chord: 3 8.5
MTOW: 2300 lb
Max CL(no flaps): 1.6

Aircraft Info

Modified
Tornado

CLmax

1.6

1.5108

Stall Speed

25.5 m/s

27.1 m/s

Structural Solver
Finite Element based (10 elements)
Safety factor of 5
Produces lightest possible structure
under 3 constraints
1. Maximum wing tip deflection
2. Resulting element stress
3. Minimum material thickness

Material Choice
Single Carbon Fibre spar
Aerospace grade Silicone Carbide
foam ribs
Poly-Fibre Skin

Validation
Certain geometrical and load
case:
Structural solver maximum tip
displacement of 0.5022 m
ANSYS model of the same spar
under the same loads resulted
in maximum tip displacement
of:
0.51663 m with 10 elements
0.51425 m with 10 000 elements

Results
Function created to integrate
components
Input acquired from GA
Aerodynamic analysis performed
Loads and geometry inputted into
structural analyser
Weight, CLmax, and Ref Area
inputted into objective function
Takeoff Speed acquired
Takeoff Speed and Weight reduced

 Results were different

Depending on the limits
imposed on the variables
1st run

Root
Chord

Span

Taper
Ratio

Lower Limit 1.5

0.1

Upper Limit 2.2

0.6

2nd run

Span

Taper
Ratio

Lower Limit 1.5

0.1

Upper Limit 2.3

0.9

Root
Chord

GA Results
CL MAX

1.39

Total Empty Mass

44.08 kg (vs 69.95 kg)

Take Off Speed

Root Chord
2.2

8.7 m/s (vs 11.6 m/s)

Span
Taper Ratio
7

0.6

Future Works
Incorporate range and
endurance
Multi section wing design
Multi airfoil
Winglet
Re-design fuselage and tail

Thank You!