General Aviation Aircraft Design Snorri Gudmundsson Pdf π― Free Access
Aspect ratio: for GA, AR = 7β9 is typical. Pick AR = 8. Wing span b = sqrt(AR Γ S) = sqrt(8 Γ 14) β sqrt(112) β 10.6 m.
CD_cruise = 0.025 + 0.0486 Γ 0.0966Β² β 0.025 + 0.00045 β 0.02545 Drag D = q S CD = 5,300 Γ14 Γ0.02545 β 1,887 N general aviation aircraft design snorri gudmundsson pdf
Power required (shaft) = D Γ V = 1,887 Γ 93 β 175,500 W β 235 hp (assuming propulsive eff 0.8, required engine power β 235 / 0.8 β 294 hp). Thatβs high for a light two-seater. Aspect ratio: for GA, AR = 7β9 is typical
Choose S β 14 mΒ².
At cruise speed V = 180 kt β 93 m/s. Dynamic pressure q = 0.5ΟVΒ² β 0.5Γ1.225Γ93Β² β 5,300 N/mΒ² Lift = W = q S CL β CL_cruise = W / (q S) = 7,166 / (5,300 Γ14) β 0.0966 CD_cruise = 0
Trade: reduce cruise speed to 140 kt (72 m/s) to get realistic engine size: Recompute q = 0.5Γ1.225Γ72Β² β 3,178 CL = 7,166 / (3,178 Γ14) β 0.161 CD = 0.025 + 0.0486Γ0.161Β² β 0.025 + 0.00126 β 0.02626 D = 3,178Γ14Γ0.02626 β 1,169 N Power = 1,169Γ72 β 84,200 W = 113 hp shaft β engine ~130β160 hp (accounting prop eff and climb reserve). This is a practical choice (e.g., Lycoming IO-320/IO-360 class).