Aircraft Performance Equations 1. For steady, level flight, the equations of motion are the simple equilibrium relations T=D L=Ww 2. The basic aerodynamics needed for a performance analysis is the drag polar. Co =Coo+ KC} 3. A thrust required curve is a plot of Tr = D versus velocity for a given airplane at u given altitude. A thrust available curve is a plot of T, versus velocity for a given airplane at a given altitude. The high-speed intersection of the maximum thrust available and thrust required curves determines the maximum velocity of the airplane. Thrust required is inversely proportional to the lift-to-drag ratio _ 7 L/D 4, The design parameters Tr/W and W/S play a strong role in airplane performance. An analytical expression for the resulting airplane velocity for a given Tr/W and W/S is a [epee £ (W/S) JT] WP = Apo } ° PooC p.0 5. A power required curve is a plot of Pr versus velocity for a given airplane at a given altitude, A power available curve is a plot of P, versus velocity for a given airplane at a given altitude. The high-speed intersection of the maximum power available and the power required curves determines the maximum velocity of the airplane. The power required is inversely proportional to C}/?/Cp ci?/Co 6. The following aerodynamic relations are important for a static performance analysis.a. Maximum L/D occurs when the zero-lift drag equals the drag due to lift: Coo = KC} The value of (L/D)msx depends only on Cp.o and K. (3)..-(@)_= eae ‘The flight velocity at which (L/D)max is achieved for a given airplane depends on the altitude and wing loading: Tr Vom. <(2.[£™ 010m = \ oy Soo F Minimum Tp occurs when L/D is maximum. b. Maximum C?/Cp occurs when the zero-lift drag is one-third of the drag due to lift: Coo = 4KC} ‘The value of (C?/?/Cp)max depends only on Cp. and K: a ay 1 (_3__ © Jom ARCS ‘The flight velocity at which (C?”/Cp)max is achieved for a given airplane depends on the altitude and wing loading: in i {2 2 (ct? com = \ 55) Toe 5 Minimum Pe occurs when C}?/Cp is maximum. c. Maximum C7//Cp occurs when the zero-lift drag is 3 times the drag due to lift: Coo = 3KC} The value of (C}!?/Cp)max depends only on Cp.o and K: cP) 3/4 \" Co Jinx 4 \3KCh.0 ‘The flight velocity at which (C//?/Cp) max is achieved for a given airplane depends on the altitude and wing loading: in _(2 ew Yicyticomm = \ 5) oo 5d. The flight velocities for maximum values of the above aerodynamic ratios are related in magnitude as follows: = 0.76: 1: 1.32 vn ViCLICODnan ? (CU? /Cu dan 7. The stall speed of a given airplane at a given altitude is dictated by (Cz )max and the wing loading: The values of (C,)max can be increased by a variety of high-lift devices, such as trailing- and leading-edge flaps, slats, etc. 8. Rate of climb is given by T Vos — DVoo _ excess power Ww "OW The various analytical expressions obtained for a rate of climb analysis show that R/C for a given airplane at a given altitude depends on wing loading and thrust-to-weight ratio, 9. For unpowered gliding flight, the glide angle 6 is determined by R/C = Tang = L/D 10. Absolute ceiling is that altitude where (R/C)max = 0. Service ceiling is that altitude where (R/C)mex = 100 f/min. 11. The conditions for maximum range and maximum endurance are different Moreover, they also depend on whether the airplane is propeller-driven or jet-propelled: ew = me In Wi propeller-driven 2 CH ia wit ; AS cy (We ~ Wi?) jet (oe A E= CV 205 (we? 5 we”) propeller-driven IL, Wo E=—=in2 ij ape. Note that maximum endurance for a propeller-driven airplane occurs when the airplane is flying at (C7!?/Cp)max. Maximum range for a propeller-driven airplane and maximum endurance for a jet occur when the airplane is flying at (L/D) max. Maximum range for a jet occurs when the airplane is flying at (C!”/Cp))max-