Project Title:

"Improved Vortex Generators for Maximum Lift and Minimum Cruise Drag on G/A Airfoils"

  94-1	02.09	8228

  "Improved Vortex Generators for Maximum Lift and Minimum Cruise 
  Drag on G/A Airfoils"

Abstract:

Significant performance gains for single-engine business 
airplanes can be realized if the wing loading can he matched with 
cruise performance requirements, realizing potential range and 
cruise speed improvements as high as 100%. To achieve this 
requires a wing with minimum cruise drag hut still having 
sufficient maximum lift to meet the FAA-imposed stall speed 
regulations. One means of providing higher lift, particularly to 
increase CLmax, is to use vortex generators (VG's) on the wing 
to delay flow separation with angle of attack. While VG's can he 
very effective for increasing maximum lift, typical designs 
impose a large cruise drag penalty. The focus of this Phase I 
effort is to demonstrate that VG's of non-standard design can 
provide either significant increased maximum lift or presently 
achievable levels of maximum lift enhancement but with a greatly 
reduced drag penalty. This improved VG could provide significant 
benefits to enhance the performance and safety characteristics 
of existing airfoils as a retrofit on today's G/A airplanes, and, 
it might lead to a new airfoil design methodology where the use 
of VG's is integrated into the design from the beginning. There 
is a potential demand in the GA industry for the benefits of both 
approaches.

New VG's that improve the performance levels of GA aircraft by 
increasing maximum lift and/or decreasing the cruise drag penalty 
will have direct applications to existing GA airfoils to reduce 
stall speeds and stall/spin problems. Improved VG's may also lead 
to the development of a new methodology for VG/airfoil/flap 
designs where VG performance is integrated into the design. The 
potential benefits are higher performance at reduced cost, lower 
stall speeds, higher cruise efficiency, improved ride quality, 
simplified high-lift flap systems and improved flight safety.  

Key Words

Eidetics Aircraft, Inc.
3415 Lomita Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90505