Flight Performance Evaluation of the Flying-V

Flight Performance Evaluation of the Flying-V

de Zoeten, G.J. (Student TU Delft)
Varriale, Carmine (TU Delft Flight Performance and Propulsion)
Vos, Roelof (TU Delft Flight Performance and Propulsion)

2023

This study evaluates the flight performance of a Flying-V aircraft designed for transonic passenger transport. The Flying-V is a disruptive aircraft configuration that has shown to possess promising aerodynamic performance during preliminary design. It is compared to a competitor aircraft reminiscent of the Airbus A350-1000, for the same thrust-to-weight ratio and a similar number of passengers. The most common performance metrics for the take-off, landing, climbing and cruise phases have been assessed using a modular flight mechanics model. Take-off and landing performance are evaluated through flight simulation using a simple Euler method, while climb and cruise performance are evaluated in trimmed, steady-state conditions. Only instantaneous performance is available for the latter two phases. The Flying-V outperforms its competitor for basically all investigated metrics. Take-off length is shorter, mainly due to a larger tail strike attitude that reduces the minimum unstick speed. Service and absolute ceiling are higher, and its superior lift-over-drag ratio results in a 21% increase in the cruise range parameter. Landing field lengths are similar for both aircraft, but the Flying-V has a significantly larger pitch angle during approach. This causes longer de-rotation length, and a large obscured segment of the pilot’s vision which could be problematic during operations.

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:355db742-8b4c-422d-8640-23ead6d15125

https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2023-3484

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc. (AIAA)

978-1-62410-704-7

AIAA AVIATION 2023 Forum

AIAA AVIATION 2023 Forum, 2023-06-12 → 2023-06-16, San Diego, United States

Institutional Repository

conference paper

© 2023 G.J. de Zoeten, Carmine Varriale, Roelof Vos