WHALE Amphibian Aircraft Conceptual Design

Ryo Firmananda1), Irvan Kurniawan Silalahi2), Muhammad Ikhsan3), Rifqi Fathul Azhar4)
1) 2) 3) 4)

Aeronautics and Astronautics, Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,

Institut Teknologi Bandung

The objective of this paper is to design an amphibian aircraft based on a design

requirements and objectives (DR&O). The designed aircraft is a 4-seated single engine amphibian
aircraft. First step of the design processes is to determine weight to power ratio and wing loading,
as a design point. Next steps are determine the weight estimation, aerodynamic characteristic
determination, structural layout determination, engine selection, and others to meet the design
point criteria. This design process is referred to comparison aircrafts by using aeronautical books
as references and some software as calculating supports. If the design process does not meet the
DR&O and design point, iteration is necessary until the results satisfy the optimum design and the
aircraft configurations satisfy the DR&O.
Key Words: Amphibian aircraft, DR&O, Design process

Nomenclature

1. Introduction
A highly frequency and shortly time travelling is everyones needed in using air
transport. However, many air transportation mode in most countries cannot provide all of
the needs. This paper explains the design process of an amphibian aircraft named WHALE
to accommodate tourisms and mainly national defenses need. The results of this paper is
conceptual design aircraft that has a highly frequency and shortly time travelling of air
transport can be achieved. For national defense, especially seawater defenses, this
aircraft can be used as a fast transportation patrol to conduct surveillance waters prone
to exploitation of natural resources of the sea.
This design process is based on a design requirements and objectives (DR&O). By
the DR&O, the aircraft has to be: 4-seated (maximum payload not less than 400 kg
included 1 pilot or plus 1 optional pilot, passenger typical weight 80 kg, and baggage
weight 10 kg, with 85 % baggage space is a maximum baggage capacity and 160 kg/m 3
compactness), single engine, capable in taking off and landing on ground and water, use
newest material and technology, has a maximum reliability and maintainability,
maximum take-off weight not exceed 1700 kg. From performance overview the aircraft
must have: 600 km until 15,000 km cruising range with maximum payload, minimum
1000 km cruising range with maximum fuel (reserved fuel regulated by CASR), minimum
125 knots maximum cruising speed, minimum 20,000 feet maximum flight level,
maximum 500 meter take-off and landing length (sea level ISA condition) on ground with

maximum take-off weight, and 1000 fpm maximum rate of climb on sea level. This
aircraft should be certified by CASR/FAR/JAR.

2. Comparison Aircraft Study

3. Initial Sizing

4. Layout Configuration Design

5. Weight and Balance

6. Aerodynamic Characteristic Determination

7. Landing Gear Design

8. Tail Design

9. Stability and Control Surface Determination

10. Flight Performance Determination

11. Conclusions

Acknowledgements

References