High Speed Flight Flashcards
Local Speed Of Sound
LLS = 39 x square root (K)
Mach Number calculation
Mach number = TAS/LSS
What is Mcrit
Fastest speed at which there is no supersonic flow
Or
Slowest speed at which there is no supersonic flow
First signs of a shockwave
Appear on the upper surface just after Mcrit half way back
What does transonic mean
Some Mach numbers lower than 1, but some Mach numbers above 1
Flying faster in transonic speed does what to shockwaves
Shockwaves intensify and move backwards a shockwave can also then form on the bottom on the aerofoil leading more drag
Wave drag
As shockwave intensify more separation aft of shockwave
Airflow in front of shockwave properties
Static pressure
Velocity
Temperature
LSS
Density
Total pressure
Static Pressure - Less
Velocity - Higher
Temp - Lower
LSS - Lower
Density - Lower
Total pressure - higher
Airflow properties behind a shock wave
Pressure
Temperature
LSS
Density
Total pressure
Pressure - higher
Temperature - higher
LSS - Higher
Density - higher
Total pressure - lower
What changes Mcrit
Factors which influence the acceleration of airflow over the upper surface
Factors influencing Mcrit
Forward CG - Lower
Thicker wing - lower
Increased Mass - lower
Turning - lower
Anything that is producing additional lift on upper surface to increase the airflow
Mach Drag Diversion
Mach number at which CD rapidly rises due to flow seperation
Mach buffet
High Mach number will do what to lift and drag
Reduces lift and increases drag in supersonic flight
Advantage of flying close to Mcrit
Increase in cruise speed for not so much drag
Increasing Mcrit - Sweepback Wings + consequences
Speed of airflow at 90 degrees to leading edge is going to be slower than in relation to airplane
Mcrit greater for sweep angle
- reduction in clmax higher stall speed
- increased t/o l/d distances
- poor stall characteristics
Practical design for supercritical wing
Flat Top
Negative Camber on lower surface
Extreme positive camber at trailing edge
Mach Buffet is
Produced by the turbulent flow behind a strong shock wave
Can lead to structural fatigue
Vortex generators and Mach buffet
Used to reattach airflow behind normal shockwave located inboard and further back
CP movement in transonic flight
Due to rearward movement overall L/W couple gets bigger so more nose down
Mach Trimmer
To improve stick force stability in transonic flight due to L/W couple movement at Mcrit
Mno is limited if inoperative