Drag and Power

DEN/305

© G. Dorrington Jan. 2002

 Lift and Drag
In steady level cruise L = W
and T = D

Hence L/D = W/T or T = W/(L/D)

Power = Force x velocity

Flight Power = Thrust x velocity = Drag x velocity
P = TU = DU = WU/(L/D)
 Lift Coefficient
L = 1/2 U2 S CL 2s = b

= q S CL
c
where D = Drag
q = dynamic pressure = 1/2 U2
U = velocity
density
S = wing planform area, Aspect ratio A= b2/S

© G. Dorrington Oct. 2001

 Drag Coefficient
D = 1/2 U2 S CD 2s = b

= q S CD
c
where D = Drag
q = dynamic pressure = 1/2 U2
U = velocity
density
S = wing planform area, Aspect Ratio A= b2/S

© G. Dorrington Oct. 2001

 Drag Coefficient
D = 1/2 U2 S CD

CD = CDo + CDi

© G. Dorrington Oct. 2001

 Drag Coefficient
D = 1/2 U2 S CD

CD = CDo + CDi

CDi = k CL2/(A)

© G. Dorrington Oct. 2001

 Drag of Aircraft
The Drag of an aircraft in cruise where
L=W can hence be written as:

D = q S {CDo + k CL2/(A)}
= q S CDo + q S k (L/qS)2 /(A)
= q S CDo + k W2/(qS A)
= q S CDo + k W2/(q b2)

© G. Dorrington Oct. 2001

 Drag Minimum
D = q S CDo + k W2/(q b2)
= Aq + B/q
Note: minimum drag occurs
zero-lift profile drag lift-dependent drag when these terms are equal

dD/dq = A - B/q2, minimum occurs when q = (B/A)

then D = Dmin = A (B/A) + B/(B/A) = 2 (AB)
hence Dmin = 2 W  (kCDo/(A))
© G. Dorrington Oct. 2001
 Drag Minimum (alternative)
D = q S CDo + k W2/(q b2)
= (U2/2) S CDo + 2k W2/( U2 b2)
= A U2 + B/U2

dD/dU = 2AU - 2B/U3

minimum occurs when 2AU = 2B/U3
or when A U2 = B/U2
or when zero-lift drag = induced drag
total drag = 2 x induced drag = 2 x zero lift drag
 Drag Minimum (alternative)
D = q S CDo + k W2/(q b2)
= (U2/2) S CDo + 2k W2/( U2 b2)
= A U2 + B/U2

dD/dU = 2AU - 2B/U3

minimum occurs when U = 4(B/A)
or when U = UminD = (2W/b) 4(k/(SCDo)

© G. Dorrington Oct. 2001

 Drag Minimum
D = (U2/2) S CDo + 2kW2/(U2 b2) = AU2 + B/U2

total
profile

induced

© G. Dorrington Oct. 2001

U
 Maximum L/D
In cruise L=W and Dmin = 2 W  (kCDo/(A))

Hence L/Dmin = (L/D)max = {A/(4 kCDo)}

Maximum L/D increases with aspect ratio,

and as the zero-lift profile drag coefficient CDo
of the aircraft is reduced

© G. Dorrington Oct. 2001

 Minimum Power
Power = Force x Velocity

P = DU = q U S CDo + k U W2/(q b2)

= (U3/2) S CDo + 2k W2/( U b2)
= A U3 + B/U
 Minimum Power
P = DU = q U S CDo + k U W2/(q b2)
= (U3/2) S CDo + 2k W2/( U b2)
= A U3 + B/U

dD/dU = 3AU2 - B/U2

minimum occurs when 3 AU3 = B/U

or when 3 x zero-lift power = induced power

or total power is 4 x zero lift power = 4/3 induced power
 Minimum Power
P = DU = q U S CDo + k U W2/(q b2)
= (U3/2) S CDo + 2k W2/( U b2)
= A U3 + B/U

dD/dU = 3AU2 - B/U2

minimum occurs when U = 4{B/(3A)}
or when U = UminP = (2W/b) 4(k/(3SCDo)
= UminD (1/3)1/4
 Minimum Power

P zero-lift
power

induced
power

U
 Stall
These minimums apply provided they are
above stall speed,
U min D, P > U stall

at stall, W= q S CL max
End of Tutorial

© G. Dorrington Oct. 2001