Let's now have a look at something completely different:
Call it as you want: joined wing or box wing is probably the most appropriate definition. I would suggest "canard" joined wing design.
As usual, the idea is to make a foot launchable sailplane, easy to transport, light weight and with a reasonable performance level.
The fuselage is reduced again to the minimum, just streamlining the pilot, with an opening on the belly for foot launching it. Lateral stability should be provided by the vertical surfaces joining the fron and back wings at the tips.
The elevator is on the front wing and the ailerons on the rear wing. The idea was to keep the wingspan below 10 meters. That was probably too optimistic, since it is giving a very small wing surface. One solution could be to increase the wing chord...
The front view is sexy, isn't it?
Hello Domenico,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, congrats regarding the initiative of sharing thoughts. I studied a lot the Ligeti Stratos and always imagine it as a motor-glider, with a little bit more wingspan, electric engine, folding props. I´m not sure if the design (airfoils) would be ok for thermal flight, but looks promising. I´ll try to post my drawings if you do not mind.
Best regards!
Fernando Abrahão
I would love to talk a little more in depth with you about this design! I coincidentally started working on a design very similar with very similar design goals. I didnt however have any influence from the ligetti stratos, It just so happens to stumble upon similar design aspects.
ReplyDeleteI have some very differing Ideas from you, but the basics all being the same. 10-12m foot launch glider designed to compete with the Aeriane Swift, more portable, launch from anywhere a typical flex wing could.
Some very distinct differences would be that I would put elevator and ailerons on the canard/forward wing, with drag-type rudders in the vertical tips. All cables and linkages would run through a D-bx style leading edge. Aft wing would have no flight controls on the first variant. In the future, the thought would be to expand to having adjustable camber via elevator and ailerons (flaperons in this case), along with adjustable trailing edge on the rear wing. Also, I have an interesting Idea for lift profile. Predominantly elliptical lift distribution on the canard/forward wing, bell shaped on the upper wing. Both would go slightly negative at the aft wing/vertical intersection. This should greatly increase stability, and reduce drag.
http://www.homebuiltairplanes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22246
Email me at Jwmflying14 (at) Gmail (dot) com
Thanks for your comments, i will reply to you by email.
ReplyDeleteDomenico