Wind Tunnel Testing

Wind tunnel testing is a key component in the development of an aicraft. Several wind tunnel campaign are being conducted to collect aerodynamic data, pressure data, and flow field data to fully understand the aerodynamic behaviour of the aircraft.

Campaigns have been conducted at the University of Bristol at the Large Low-Speed Wind Tunnel.

5ft x 7ft Low-Speed Wind Tunnel

Model Support

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The Large Low-Speed Wind Tunnel at the Universiy of Bristol is equipped with a 6-degree of freedom force plate.

A dedicated support for mounting the model was designed to test full-wing-span models.

The support is composed of a single steel strut to support the model, and a rear actuator for setting the incidence angle of the model.

Yaw angle can be set by manually rotating the base of the support

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Wind Tunnel Model

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A 1.5m span wind tunnel model is being designed. The model has an internal structure composed of ribs and spar, with foam-core wing sections.

The skin of the model is to be manufactured in carbon composite fibers.

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Testing

 

The first round of testing was completed in October 2021, and it comprised of force balance measurements, surface pressure acquisition, and tuft flow visualization.

Experimental data validated numerical simulations