AERODYNAMICS 2

Engr. Francis P. Batac

 CHAPTER 7

Climbing Flight
Consider an airplane in steady, unaccelerated, climbing flight, as shown in the figure below. The velocity along the flight
path is V∞ , and the flight path itself is inclined to the horizontal at angle θ. As always, lift and drag are perpendicular and
parallel to V∞ , and the weight is perpendicular to the horizontal.
Σ𝐹 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑙 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ:

𝑇 = 𝐷 + 𝑊𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

Σ𝐹 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ:

𝐿 = 𝑊𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
To write eqn. 𝑇 = 𝐷 + 𝑊𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 in terms of “power” multiply both sides by the airspeed

𝑇𝑉 = 𝐷𝑉 + 𝑊𝑉𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒,
𝑅. 𝐶. = 𝑉𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝑇𝑉 = 𝐷𝑉 + 𝑊(𝑅. 𝐶. )

𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒:
𝑇𝑉 = 𝑃𝐴𝑉 = power available from the propulsive system
𝐷𝑉 = 𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑄𝐷 = power required to overcome the drag at a given speed V
W𝑅. 𝐶. = 𝑃𝐶𝐿 = climb power

Note that in steady symmetrical flight the power available equals to the sum of the
power required and the climb power.
𝑅. 𝐶. = 𝑉𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝑇𝑉 = 𝐷𝑉 + 𝑊(𝑅. 𝐶. )

𝑇𝑉 − 𝐷𝑉
= (𝑅. 𝐶. )
𝑊

𝑇𝑉 − 𝐷𝑉
= 𝑉𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝑊

𝑃𝐴 − 𝑃𝑅
= 𝑉𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝑊

𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒:
𝑇𝑉 − 𝐷𝑉 = 𝑒𝑥𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
a) Propeller-driven airplane b) Jet-propelled airplane
Note that the excess power is different at different max 𝑒𝑥𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
values of V∞ . Indeed, for both the propeller- and (𝑅. 𝐶. )𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
𝑊
jet-powered aircraft there is some V∞ at which the
excess power is maximum. At this point, R/C will
be maximum.

This situation is sketched in (a), where the power

available is at full throttle —that is, maximum PA . The
maximum excess power, shown in (a), yields the
maximum rate of climb that can be generated by
the airplane at the given altitude.
A convenient graphical method of determining maximum R.C. is to plot R.C. vs V, as shown in the figure below. A
horizontal tangent defines the point of maximum R.C.
The angle of climb is dependent on excess thrust (difference between thrust and drag)

𝑇−𝐷
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 =
𝑊
Another way to look at the angle of climb, is to use the formula:

𝑉𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑅. 𝐶.
𝑅. 𝐶.
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 =
𝑉
−1
𝑅. 𝐶.
𝜃 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝑉
𝑅. 𝐶.
𝜃𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛−1
𝑉 𝑚𝑎𝑥

The maximum climb angle occurs when the ratio (R.C.)/𝑉 is a maximum.
• Represented by Vx
• It is the velocity which allows the aircraft to obtain the greatest altitude gain within the
shortest range or horizontal distance
• It is the speed where you have the most excess thrust
• Represented by Vy
• It is the velocity which gives the shortest amount of time to obtain the greatest altitude
gain
• It is the speed where you have the most excess power
1. An aircraft weighs 40,000 lbs. When flown at an airspeed of 200 knots, it is capable of producing a drag force of
2,000 lbs and a thrust force of 4,000 lbs. Calculate the thrust horsepower available for the given aircraft.

Given: Solution:
W = 40,000 lbs For THPAV:
V = 200 knots
D = 2,000 lbs 𝑇𝐻𝑃𝐴𝑉 = 𝑇𝑉
T = 4,000 lbs 𝑛𝑚𝑖 1.15 𝑚𝑖 5280 𝑓𝑡 1 ℎ𝑟
𝑇𝐻𝑃𝐴𝑉 = 4,000 𝑙𝑏𝑠 200
ℎ𝑟 1 𝑛𝑚𝑖 1 𝑚𝑖 3,600 𝑠
Reqd: 𝑓𝑡 − 𝑙𝑏𝑠 1 𝐻𝑃
𝑇𝐻𝑃𝐴𝑉 = 1,349,333.333
THPAV 𝑠 𝑓𝑡 − 𝑙𝑏𝑠
550
𝑠
𝑇𝐻𝑃𝐴𝑉 = 2,453.33 𝐻𝑃
2. An airplane weighs 36,000 lbs. and has a wing area of 450 ft2. The drag equation is CD=0.014 + 0.05CL2, it is desired
to equip this airplane with turbroprop engines with available power such that a maximum speed of 502.6 mph at sea
level can be reached. The available power is assumed to be independent of flight speed. Calculate the maximum rate
of climb and the speed at which it occurs.

Given: Solution:
W = 36,000 lbs For THPAV:
S = 450 ft2
𝑇𝐻𝑃𝐴𝑉 = 𝑇𝐻𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑄𝐷
CD= 0.014 + 0.05CL2
THPAV = constant
Vmax = 502.6 mph
Horsepower, HP

𝑊 𝑊 2 1
𝑇𝐻𝑃𝐴𝑉 = 𝑇𝐻𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑄𝐷 = 𝐷𝑉 =
𝐶𝐿 𝑆 𝜌 𝐶𝐿
Max ൗ𝐶
Reqd: EHP 𝐷

R.C.max, VR.C.max
𝑊 2 1
THPreqdmin 𝑇𝐻𝑃𝐴𝑉 = 𝑊
𝑆 𝜌 𝐶𝐿 3
Flight Speed, V Vmax ൘ 2
𝐶𝐷
 2. An airplane weighs 36,000 lbs. and has a wing area of 450 ft2. The drag equation is CD=0.014 + 0.05CL2, it is desired
to equip this airplane with turbroprop engines with available power such that a maximum speed of 502.6 mph at sea
level can be reached. The available power is assumed to be independent of flight speed. Calculate the maximum rate
of climb and the speed at which it occurs.
Given: Solution:
W = 36,000 lbs For 𝐶𝐿 :
S = 450 ft2 For 𝐶𝐷 :
CD= 0.014 + 0.05CL2 𝐿
𝐶𝐿 = 1 𝐶𝐷 = 0.014 + 0.05𝐶𝐿 2
Vmax = 502.6 mph 2
𝜌𝑉 2 𝑆
2
36,000 𝑙𝑏𝑠 𝐶𝐷 = 0.014 + 0.05 0.1238748
Reqd: 𝐶𝐿 = 2
R.C.max, VR.C.max 1 𝑠𝑙𝑢𝑔𝑠 𝑚𝑖 5280 𝑓𝑡 𝐶𝐷 = 0.0147672
0.002377 502.6 450 𝑓𝑡 2
2 𝑓𝑡 3 ℎ𝑟 3600 𝑠
𝐶𝐿 = 0.1238748
Horsepower, HP

THPAV = constant

Max
EHP

THPreqdmin

Flight Speed, V Vmax

 2. An airplane weighs 36,000 lbs. and has a wing area of 450 ft2. The drag equation is CD=0.014 + 0.05CL2, it is desired
to equip this airplane with turbroprop engines with available power such that a maximum speed of 502.6 mph at sea
level can be reached. The available power is assumed to be independent of flight speed. Calculate the maximum rate
of climb and the speed at which it occurs.
Given: Solution:
W = 36,000 lbs For 𝑇𝐻𝑃𝐴𝑉 :
S = 450 ft2
CD= 0.014 + 0.05CL2 𝑊 2 1
Vmax = 502.6 mph 𝑇𝐻𝑃𝐴𝑉 = 𝑊
𝑆 𝜌 𝐶𝐿 3
൘ 2
𝐶𝐷
Reqd:
R.C.max, VR.C.max
36,000 𝑙𝑏𝑠 3 2 1
𝑇𝐻𝑃𝐴𝑉 =
450 𝑓𝑡 2 𝑠𝑙𝑢𝑔 0.12387483ൗ
0.002377 0.01476722
Horsepower, HP

THPAV = constant
𝑓𝑡 3

Max 𝑓𝑡 − 𝑙𝑏𝑠 1 𝐻𝑃
EHP 𝑇𝐻𝑃𝐴𝑉 = 3,163,537.578
𝑠 𝑓𝑡 − 𝑙𝑏𝑠
550
𝑠
THPreqdmin
𝑇𝐻𝑃𝐴𝑉 = 5,751.89 𝐻𝑃
Flight Speed, V Vmax
 2. An airplane weighs 36,000 lbs. and has a wing area of 450 ft2. The drag equation is CD=0.014 + 0.05CL2, it is desired
to equip this airplane with turbroprop engines with available power such that a maximum speed of 502.6 mph at sea
level can be reached. The available power is assumed to be independent of flight speed. Calculate the maximum rate
of climb and the speed at which it occurs.
Given: Solution:
W = 36,000 lbs For 𝑇𝐻𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑄𝐷𝑚𝑖𝑛 : 𝐶𝐿 3 1
𝐴𝑡 ൗ𝐶 2 : 𝐶𝐷0 = 𝐶𝐷𝑖
S = 450 ft2 𝐷 𝑚𝑎𝑥 3
CD= 0.014 + 0.05CL2 For 𝐶𝐷 : For 𝐶𝐿 :
𝑊 2 1
Vmax = 502.6 mph 𝑇𝐻𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑄𝐷𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝑊
𝑆 𝜌 𝐶𝐿 3 𝐶𝐷 = 4𝐶𝐷0
൘ 2 𝐶𝐿 = 3𝜋𝐴𝑒𝐶𝐷0
Reqd: 𝐶𝐷 𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝐶𝐷 = 4 0.014
R.C.max, VR.C.max 𝐶𝐷 = 0.056 3 0.014
𝐶𝐿 =
0.05
Horsepower, HP

THPAV = constant
𝐶𝐿 = 0.9165151
Max
EHP

THPreqdmin

Flight Speed, V Vmax

 2. An airplane weighs 36,000 lbs. and has a wing area of 450 ft2. The drag equation is CD=0.014 + 0.05CL2, it is desired
to equip this airplane with turbroprop engines with available power such that a maximum speed of 502.6 mph at sea
level can be reached. The available power is assumed to be independent of flight speed. Calculate the maximum rate
of climb and the speed at which it occurs.
Given: Solution:
W = 36,000 lbs For 𝑇𝐻𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑄𝐷𝑚𝑖𝑛 :
S = 450 ft2
CD= 0.014 + 0.05CL2
𝑊 2 1
Vmax = 502.6 mph 𝑇𝐻𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑄𝐷𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝑊
𝑆 𝜌 𝐶𝐿 3
൘ 2
Reqd: 𝐶𝐷 𝑚𝑎𝑥
R.C.max, VR.C.max
36,000 𝑙𝑏𝑠 3 2 1
𝑇𝐻𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑄𝐷𝑚𝑖𝑛 =
450 𝑓𝑡 2 𝑠𝑙𝑢𝑔 0.91651513ൗ
Horsepower, HP

THPAV = constant 0.002377 0.0562

𝑓𝑡 3

Max 𝑓𝑡 − 𝑙𝑏𝑠 1 𝐻𝑃
EHP 𝑇𝐻𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑄𝐷𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 596,110.0773
𝑠 𝑓𝑡 − 𝑙𝑏𝑠
550
𝑠
THPreqdmin

Vmax
𝑇𝐻𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑄𝐷𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 1,083.836504 𝐻𝑃
Flight Speed, V
 2. An airplane weighs 36,000 lbs. and has a wing area of 450 ft2. The drag equation is CD=0.014 + 0.05CL2, it is desired
to equip this airplane with turbroprop engines with available power such that a maximum speed of 502.6 mph at sea
level can be reached. The available power is assumed to be independent of flight speed. Calculate the maximum rate
of climb and the speed at which it occurs.
Given: Solution:
W = 36,000 lbs For 𝑅. 𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥 :
S = 450 ft2
𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑒𝑥𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
CD= 0.014 + 0.05CL2 𝑅. 𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
Vmax = 502.6 mph 𝑊

𝑇𝐻𝑃𝐴𝑉 − 𝑇𝐻𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑄𝐷
Reqd: 𝑅. 𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
𝑊
R.C.max, VR.C.max
𝑓𝑡 − 𝑙𝑏𝑠
(5,751.89 𝐻𝑃 − 1,083.836504 𝐻𝑃) 550 𝑠
𝑅. 𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
36,000 𝑙𝑏𝑠 1 𝐻𝑃
Horsepower, HP

THPAV = constant

𝑓𝑡 60 𝑠
Max
𝑅. 𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 71.31743059
EHP
𝑠 1 𝑚𝑖𝑛

𝑓𝑡
THPreqdmin
𝑅. 𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 4,279.045835
𝑚𝑖𝑛
Flight Speed, V Vmax
 2. An airplane weighs 36,000 lbs. and has a wing area of 450 ft2. The drag equation is CD=0.014 + 0.05CL2, it is desired
to equip this airplane with turbroprop engines with available power such that a maximum speed of 502.6 mph at sea
level can be reached. The available power is assumed to be independent of flight speed. Calculate the maximum rate
of climb and the speed at which it occurs.
Given: Solution:
W = 36,000 lbs For 𝑉𝑅.𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥 :
S = 450 ft2
CD= 0.014 + 0.05CL2 𝑊 2 1
Vmax = 502.6 mph 𝑉𝑅.𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
𝑆 𝜌 𝐶𝐿
Reqd:
R.C.max, VR.C.max 36,000 𝑙𝑏𝑠 2 1
𝑉𝑅.𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
450 𝑓𝑡 2 𝑠𝑙𝑢𝑔 0.9165151
0.002377
𝑓𝑡 3
Horsepower, HP

THPAV = constant

𝑓𝑡
𝑉𝑅.𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 271.0039238
Max 𝑠
EHP

THPreqdmin

Flight Speed, V Vmax

3. An airplane is climbing at certain velocity, V, propeller-driven and with brake power delivery of 2,250 kW. The
following data are also given for the aircraft:
CD=0.014 + 0.05CL2
W = 160,000 N
S = 40 m2
𝜂𝑝 = 87 %
SSLC
Compute for the maximum rate of climb and the corresponding climb path angle. Assume power available is
independent of flight speed
Given: Solution: For 𝑃𝐴𝑉 :
CD=0.014 + 0.05CL2
𝑃𝐴𝑉 = 𝐵𝑃 𝑥 𝜂𝑝
W = 160,000 N
S = 40 m2 PAV = constant
𝑃𝐴𝑉 = 2,250 𝑘𝑊 𝑥 0.87
𝜂𝑝 = 87 %
𝑃𝐴𝑉 = 1,957.5 𝑘𝑊
Power

Max
Reqd: EP

R.C.max, 𝜃R.C.max
Preqdmin

Flight Speed, V Vmax

 3. An airplane is climbing at certain velocity, V, propeller-driven and with brake power delivery of 2,250 kW. The
following data are also given for the aircraft:
Given: Solution:
CD=0.015 + 0.055CL2 For 𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑄𝐷𝑚𝑖𝑛 :
W = 160,000 N
S = 40 m2 𝑊 2 1 𝐶𝐿 3 1
𝐴𝑡 ൗ𝐶 2 : 𝐶𝐷0 = 𝐶𝐷𝑖
𝜂𝑝 = 87 % 𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑄𝐷𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝑊 𝐷 𝑚𝑎𝑥 3
𝑆 𝜌 𝐶𝐿 3
SSLC ൘ 2 For 𝐶𝐷 : For 𝐶𝐿 :
𝐶𝐷 𝑚𝑎𝑥
Reqd: 𝐶𝐷 = 4𝐶𝐷0
𝐶𝐿 = 3𝜋𝐴𝑒𝐶𝐷0
R.C.max, 𝜃R.C.max 𝐶𝐷 = 4 0.015
𝐶𝐷 = 0.06 3 0.015
𝐶𝐿 =
PAV = constant
0.055

𝐶𝐿 = 0.9045340337
Power

Max
EP

Preqdmin

Flight Speed, V Vmax

 3. An airplane is climbing at certain velocity, V, propeller-driven and with brake power delivery of 2,250 kW. The
following data are also given for the aircraft:
Given: Solution:
CD=0.015 + 0.055CL2 For 𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑄𝐷𝑚𝑖𝑛 :
W = 160,000 N
S = 40 m2 𝑊 2 1
𝜂𝑝 = 87 % 𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑄𝐷𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝑊
𝑆 𝜌 𝐶𝐿 3
SSLC ൘ 2
𝐶𝐷 𝑚𝑎𝑥
Reqd:
R.C.max, 𝜃R.C.max 3
160,000 𝑁 2 1
𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑄𝐷𝑚𝑖𝑛 =
40 𝑚2 𝑘𝑔 0.90453403373ൗ
1.225 0.062
𝑚3
PAV = constant

𝑁𝑚
Power

𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑄𝐷𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 901,801.2106
Max 𝑠
EP

𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑄𝐷𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 901,801.2106 𝑊
Preqdmin

Flight Speed, V Vmax

 3. An airplane is climbing at certain velocity, V, propeller-driven and with brake power delivery of 2,250 kW. The
following data are also given for the aircraft:
Given: Solution:
CD=0.015 + 0.055CL2 For 𝑅. 𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥 :
W = 160,000 N 𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑒𝑥𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
S = 40 m2 𝑅. 𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
𝑊
𝜂𝑝 = 87 %
SSLC 𝑃𝐴𝑉 − 𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑄𝐷
𝑅. 𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
Reqd: 𝑊

R.C.max, 𝜃R.C.max 1,957,500 𝑊 − 901,801.2106 𝑊

𝑅. 𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
160,000 𝑁

PAV = constant
𝑚
𝑅. 𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 6.598117433
𝑠
Power

Max
EP

Preqdmin

Flight Speed, V Vmax

 3. An airplane is climbing at certain velocity, V, propeller-driven and with brake power delivery of 2,250 kW. The
following data are also given for the aircraft:
Given: Solution:
CD=0.015 + 0.055CL2 For 𝑉𝑅.𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥 :
W = 160,000 N
S = 40 m2 𝑊 2 1
𝜂𝑝 = 87 % 𝑉𝑅.𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
𝑆 𝜌 𝐶𝐿
SSLC
Reqd: 160,000 𝑁 2 1
𝑉𝑅.𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
R.C.max, 𝜃R.C.max 40 𝑚2 𝑘𝑔 0.9045340337
1.225
𝑚3
𝑚
PAV = constant 𝑉𝑅.𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 84.96977986
𝑠
Power

Max
EP

Preqdmin

Flight Speed, V Vmax

 3. An airplane is climbing at certain velocity, V, propeller-driven and with brake power delivery of 2,250 kW. The
following data are also given for the aircraft:
Given: Solution:
CD=0.015 + 0.055CL2 For 𝜃𝑅.𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥 :
W = 160,000 N
𝑅. 𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥
S = 40 m2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑅.𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
𝜂𝑝 = 87 % 𝑉𝑅.𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥
SSLC 𝑅. 𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝜃𝑅.𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛−1
Reqd: 𝑉𝑅.𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥
R.C.max, 𝜃R.C.max 𝑚
6.598117433
𝜃𝑅.𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛−1 𝑠
𝑚
84.96977986
𝑠
PAV = constant

𝜃𝑅.𝐶.𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 4.45364512°
Power

Max
EP

Preqdmin

Flight Speed, V Vmax

4. A 5,000 lb airplane with wing area of 250 sq.ft. and a drag polar equation of CD= 0.025 + 0.048CL2 produces 450 HP
at sea level. Determine the rate of climb(fpm) at a flight speed of 180 mph. The power available is assumed to be
independent of flight speed.

Given: Solution:
W = 5,000 lbs For THPREQD:
S = 250 ft2
𝑊 𝑊 2 1
CD = 0.025 + 0.048CL2 𝑇𝐻𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑄𝐷 = 𝐷𝑉 =
THPAV = constant 𝐶𝐿 𝑆 𝜌 𝐶𝐿
PA= 450 HP
Horsepower, HP

ൗ𝐶
𝐷
EHP

Reqd: 𝑊 2 1
𝑇𝐻𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑄𝐷 = 𝑊
𝑆 𝜌 𝐶𝐿 3
R.C. at V=180mph ൘ 2
𝐶𝐷
THPreqd

V=180 mph

Flight Speed, V
 4. A 5,000 lb airplane with wing area of 250 sq.ft. and a drag polar equation of CD= 0.025 + 0.048CL2 produces 450 HP
at sea level. Determine the rate of climb(fpm) at a flight speed of 180 mph. The power available is assumed to be
independent of flight speed.

Given: Solution:
W = 5,000 lbs
For 𝐶𝐿 :
S = 250 ft2 For 𝐶𝐷 :
CD = 0.025 + 0.048CL2 𝐿
PA= 450 HP 𝐶𝐿 = 1 𝐶𝐷 = 0.025 + 0.048𝐶𝐿 2
𝜌𝑉 2 𝑆
2
Reqd: 𝐶𝐷 = 0.025 + 0.048 0.241447635 2
5,000 𝑙𝑏𝑠
R.C. at V=180mph 𝐶𝐿 = 2
1 𝑠𝑙𝑢𝑔𝑠 𝑚𝑖 5280 𝑓𝑡 𝐶𝐷 = 0.0277982541
0.002377 180 250 𝑓𝑡 2
2 𝑓𝑡 3 ℎ𝑟 3600 𝑠
THPAV = constant
Horsepower, HP

𝐶𝐿 = 0.241447635
EHP

THPreqd

V=180 mph

Flight Speed, V
 4. A 5,000 lb airplane with wing area of 250 sq.ft. and a drag polar equation of CD= 0.025 + 0.048CL2 produces 450 HP
at sea level. Determine the rate of climb(fpm) at a flight speed of 180 mph. The power available is assumed to be
independent of flight speed.

Given: Solution:
W = 5,000 lbs
For THPREQD:
S = 250 ft2
CD = 0.025 + 0.048CL2
𝑊 2 1
PA= 450 HP 𝑇𝐻𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑄𝐷 = 𝑊
𝑆 𝜌 𝐶𝐿 3
Reqd: ൘ 2
𝐶𝐷
R.C. at V=180mph
5,000 𝑙𝑏 3 2 1
𝑇𝐻𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑄𝐷 =
THPAV = constant 250 𝑓𝑡 2 𝑠𝑙𝑢𝑔 0.2414476353ൗ
Horsepower, HP

0.002377 0.02779825412
𝑓𝑡 3
EHP
𝑓𝑡 − 𝑙𝑏𝑠 1 𝐻𝑃
𝑇𝐻𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑄𝐷 = 151,973.7206
𝑠 𝑓𝑡 − 𝑙𝑏𝑠
550
𝑠
THPreqd

V=180 mph
𝑇𝐻𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑄𝐷 = 276.3158556 𝐻𝑃
Flight Speed, V
 4. A 5,000 lb airplane with wing area of 250 sq.ft. and a drag polar equation of CD= 0.025 + 0.048CL2 produces 450 HP
at sea level. Determine the rate of climb(fpm) at a flight speed of 180 mph. The power available is assumed to be
independent of flight speed.

Given: Solution:
W = 5,000 lbs
For 𝑅. 𝐶.:
S = 250 ft2
CD = 0.025 + 0.048CL2 𝑒𝑥𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
PA= 450 HP 𝑅. 𝐶. =
𝑊
Reqd:
𝑃𝐴𝑉 − 𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑄𝐷
R.C. at V=180mph 𝑅. 𝐶. =
𝑊
𝑓𝑡 − 𝑙𝑏𝑠
THPAV = constant
(450 𝐻𝑃 − 276.3158556 𝐻𝑃) 550 𝑠
𝑅. 𝐶. =
Horsepower, HP

5,000 𝑙𝑏 1 𝐻𝑃
EHP
𝑓𝑡 60 𝑠
𝑅. 𝐶. = 19.10525589
𝑠 1 𝑚𝑖𝑛

THPreqd 𝑓𝑡
𝑅. 𝐶. = 1,146.315353
V=180 mph
𝑚𝑖𝑛
Flight Speed, V
 - END -
Thank you so much for listening!
Laus Deo Semper!