Rinku Mukherjee

This paper uses a numerical post-stall predictive tool based on ‘decambering’ approach to study the aerodynamic characteristics of a lead-trail formation in pre and post-stall flow conditions. A basic lead-trail formation consisting of 2 wings and an extended formation consisting of 5 wings are studied with a view to the possibility of fuel savings, increase in range of operation, delayed flow separation and efficient positioning of the wings with respect to each other. Whether increasing the number of wings in a configuration is more useful is also looked into. The optimum operational angles of attack for maximum advantage in terms of fuel efficiency of all wings is studied including post-stall angles of attack. Numerical results for CL, CDi, section Cl distribution and their dependence on vertical offsets and angle of attack are reported.

In this paper, numerical analysis is conducted using a local camber correction approach called “decambering” to predict pre and post-stall aerodynamic characteristics of multiple lifting surfaces operating in formation. A three wings Chevron formation and five and nine wings V-formation are studied. NACA2412 wing section is used and experimental validation is provided with Cessna 172 aircrafts flying in Chevron formation. Effect of wing incidence and shifting of stall angles is looked at along with changes in geometric offsets between the wings in formation. The spanwise distribution of coefficients of lift and induced drag at different angles of attack, including high and post-stall angles of attack is studied for all the wings. The span efficiency factor, which represents the correction in drag due to change in lift as compared to that of an ideal wing of the same aspect ratio but with elliptical lift distribution is calculated. The maximum possible efficiency is then used to estimate the maximum reduction in drag possible for individual wings in different formations. The change in efficiency with number of lifting surfaces in a formation is also estimated.