About stability analysis using XFLR5

XFLR
5

Revision 2.1 – Copyright A. Deperrois - November 2010

 Sign Conventions
The yaw, such that the
nose goes to starboard
is >0

The roll, such that the

The pitching moment nose up starboard wing goes down
is > 0 is > 0

Revision 2.1 – Copyright A. Deperrois - November 2010

 The three key points which must not be confused
together
Centre of Pressure CP
= Point where the resulting aero force applies
Depends on the model's aerodynamics and on
the angle of attack

Centre of Gravity CG
= Point where the moments act;
Depends only on the plane's
mass distribution, not its
aerodynamics
Also named XCmRef in XFLR5, since this is the
point about which the pitching moment is
calculated
Revision 2.1 – Copyright A. Deperrois - November 2010
Neutral Point NP
= Reference point for which the
pitching moment does not depend
on the angle of attack α
Depends only on the plane's
external geometry
Not exactly intuitive, so let's
explore the concept further
 The neutral point = Analogy with the wind vane
Wind vane having undergone a perturbation, Wind
no longer in the wind direction

CG
NP
CP

CG forward of the NP CG slightly forward of the NP CG positioned at the NP CG behind the NP

→ The pressure → The pressure forces → The wind vane → The wind vane
forces drive the drive the vane back in rotates indefinitely is stable… in
vane back in the the wind direction → Unstable the wrong
wind direction → The wind vane is direction
→ Very stable wind stable, but sensitive to
vane wind gusts

The Neutral Point is the rear limit for the CG

 2nd principle : Forward of the NP, the CG thou shall position
Revision 2.1 – Copyright A. Deperrois - November 2010
 A preliminary note : Equilibrium is not stability !

Unstable 

Stable 

Both positions are at equilibrium,

only one is stable

Revision 2.1 – Copyright A. Deperrois - November 2010