AOE 3104 – Aircraft Performance

Exam 1 Solution

Problem 1. (35 points) A given aircraft has a constant-cross-section, rectangular, untwisted wing of
planform area S = 16 m2 and an aspect ratio AR = 7. The airfoil has a 2D lift slope of clα = 2π rad−1 and
generates zero lift at α OL = −0.05 radians. (The zero lift angle of attack for an airfoil and a finite wing is
identical.) The span efficiency factor is e = 0.9 and the profile drag coefficient is C D0 = 0.004.

a) (20 points) Compute CL and CD when α = 5°.

Answers: CL = 0.655, CD = 0.0257

b) (15 points) Compute L and D at α = 5° if the aircraft is traveling at a speed of V∞ = 80 m/s at
standard sea level conditions.

Answers: L = 41.1 kN, D = 1.61 kN

Solution. A plot of the lift curve for an infinite wing (airfoil) vs. a finite wing is shown below:

The lift coefficient of a finite wing can be found by:

where C L0 is the y-intercept of the lift curve for the finite wing. The lift curve slope for a finite wing can
be found by:

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 2π rad −1 4.769
CL = −1
=
α
 2π rad  rad
1 +  
 π (0.9)(7) 
Another expression for the lift curve slope for a finite wing is:

C L2 − CL1
CLα =
α 2 − α1

Evaluating this expression at α = 0 and α OL gives:

C L0 − 0 C L0
C Lα = = → C L0 = 0.239
0 − ( −0.05 rad ) 0.05 rad

Therefore:

C L = 0.239 + 4.769α

4.769  π rad 
C L = 0.239 +  5° ×  = 0.655
rad  180 ° 

The drag coefficient can then be found by:

0.6552
C D = 0.004 + = 0.0257
π (0.9)(7)

The lift and drag can then be found by:

1 1
L = C L ρV∞2 S = (0.655)(1.225 kg / m 3 )(80 m / s ) 2 (16 m 2 ) = 41.1 kN
2 2

1 1
D = C D ρV∞2 S = (0.0257 )(1.225 kg / m 3 )(80 m / s ) 2 (16 m 2 ) = 1.61 kN
2 2

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Problem 2. (35 points) The following information pertains to the flow of air and fuel through the jet
engine shown in Figure 1:
trust (T) 20,000 N
inlet velocity (V1) 100 m/s
inlet area (A1) 0.4 m2
inlet mass flow rate ( m& 1 ) 49 kg/s
exit area (A2) 0.2 m2
exit mass flow rate ( m& 2 ) 50 kg/s
Assuming that the engine is traveling in steady level flight, the pressures at the inlet and exit are equal
(P1 = P2), and neglecting the momentum contribution from the fuel in-flow, calculate the following:
a) (20 points) The exit velocity (V2): V2 = 498 m/s
& fuel ): m& fuel = 1 kg/s
b) (5 points) The fuel mass flow rate ( m

c) (5 points) The inlet density (ρ1): ρ1 = 1.225 kg/m3

d) (5 points) The exit density (ρ2): ρ2 = 0.502 kg/m3

Figure 1: Jet engine

Solution. With these assumptions, the thrust equation can be written as:
T = ρ 2V22 A2 − ρ1V12 A1 = ( ρ 2 A2V2 )V2 − ( ρ1 A1V1 )V1 = m& 2V2 − m& 1V1
Solving for the exit velocity (V2) gives:
T + m& 1V1 ( 20000 N ) + ( 49 kg / s )(100 m / s )
V2 = = = 498 m / s
m& 2 50 kg / s
The mass flow rate of fuel can be found from the continuity equation:
m& 2 = m& 1 + m& fuel

50 kg / s = 49 kg / s + m& fuel → m& fuel = 1 kg / s

The inlet and exit densities can then be found by:
m& = ρAV
m& 1 49 kg / s kg
ρ1 = = 2
= 1.225 3
A1V1 (0.4 m )(100 m / s ) m
m& 2 50 kg / s kg
ρ2 = = 2
= 0.502 3
A2V2 (0.2 m )(498 m / s ) m

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Problem 3. (30 points) Circle the BEST choice for each of the following questions (3 points each).

1. The lift coefficient for a normal wing or airfoil with no flaps is typically in the range of:
a. 0.005 < CL < 0.025
b. -0.1 < CL < 0
c. -2 < CL < 2
d. 10 < CL < 20

2. The drag coefficient for a normal wing or airfoil with no flaps is typically in the range of:
a. 0.005 < CD < 0.025
b. -0.1 < CD < 0
c. -2 < CD < 2
d. 10 < CD < 20
C p,0
3. The Prandtl-Glauert rule, C p = , is valid for the following range of Mach numbers:
1 − M ∞2
a. 0.8 < M∞ < 1.2
b. 0.3 < M∞ < 1.0
c. 0.3 < M∞ < 0.7
d. None of the above

4. The following assumptions were made in deriving Bernoulli’s equation for incompressible flow,
1
P0 = P + ρV 2 :
2
a. Steady flow
b. Inviscid (frictionless) flow
c. Density is constant
d. All of the above

5. To increase the critical Mach number for a given wing, one might select a wing with:
a. higher camber b. less thickness c. less wing sweep d. All of the above

6. A Pitot probe measures:

a. total pressure b. equivalent airspeed c. static pressure d. dynamic pressure

7. For an incompressible flow, ________ is calculated using the local density, while _________ uses the
density at sea level.
a. True airspeed, calibrated airspeed
b. Indicated airspeed, true airspeed
c. True airspeed, indicated airspeed
d. Calibrated airspeed, indicated airspeed

8. Which condition or assumption does not hold through the lowest 20 km of Earth’s atmosphere?
a. constant density
b. the ideal gas law
c. γ = 1.4
d. Ma << 1

9. True or False: The lift to drag ratio (L/D) of a wing is a measure of its aerodynamic efficiency.

10. True or False: Turbojet engines are generally more efficient than turbofan engines.

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