Flight mechanics

Collection of problems and short questions 6-10

6. An aircraft manufacturer gives the principal inertial axes (𝑥𝑝 , 𝑦𝑝 , 𝑧𝑝 ) and moments of inertia
of the aircraft in those axes (𝐼𝑥𝑝 , 𝐼𝑦𝑝 , 𝐼𝑧𝑝 ). Take into account that products of inertia 𝐼𝑥𝑝 𝑦𝑝 ,
𝐼𝑥𝑝 𝑧𝑝 𝐼𝑦𝑝 𝑧𝑝 are null. To analyze the inertia properties in the direction of thrust, it is requested
to find the value of the moments of inertia with respect to other axes (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) positioned as
shown in the figure. As assumption, the moment of inertia remains constant as the axes
coincide.

7. cConsider an airplane in cruise flight at constant (and fixed) altitude h and speed V. If
𝑘
aerodynamic drag is given by 𝐷 = 𝑘1 𝑉 2 + 𝑉22 (𝑘1 , 𝑘2 constants), and fuel consumption of the
airplane (fuel weight per unit of time) is given by 𝐹 = 𝑐0 + 𝑐1 𝑇 + 𝑐2 𝑇 2 , where T is the thrust
(𝑐0 , 𝑐1, 𝑐2 constants), it is requested:
a) Calculate the flight speed 𝑉1 that makes the range X maximum for a given load of fuel,
𝑊𝐹 .
b) Calculate the flight speed 𝑉2 that makes fuel consumption (𝑊𝐹 ) minimal for a given range
X.
c) Calculate the velocities 𝑉1 and 𝑉2 in the case of linear consumption (𝑐2 = 0).

8. dDefinethe power required for steady and level flight. What speed terms contribute to the
power required?

9. dHow does the minimum thrust required for steady and level flight depend on the altitude?

10. dHow does the minimum power required for steady and level flight depend on the altitude?

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 Flight mechanics
Collection of problems and short questions 6-10

References

aAndrés Zarabozo Martínez. Ingeniería Aeronáutica. Escola Tècnica Superior d’Enginyeries

Industrial i Aeronàutica de Terrassa, de la Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (ETSEIAT –
UPC)

bGómez Tierno M.A., Pérez Cortés M., and Puentes Márquez C., Mecánica del vuelo, 2,
Ibergarceta Publicaciones S.L., 2012, España

cRivas Rivas D. Mecánica del

vuelo. Catedrático de Ingeniería Aeroespacial. Departamento de
Ingeniería Aeroespacial y Mecánica de Fluidos. Universidad de Sevilla

d(not published) Llamas R. Flight Mechanics. Professor of Universidad Europea de Madrid.

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