Preliminary design of an experimental biplane aircraft, biplane canard and pusher thrust, for two occupants in tandem

Abstract

The conception and development of a new aircraft is naturally a multidisciplinary activity that involves technologies related to the aerodynamics, structures, and technologies related to several systems as mechanical, electrical, electronic among others. Due this characteristic, was resulted an extremely complex sequence of work. When the aircraft to be developed is characterized by a very peculiar configuration and for which the sources of technical reference are quite limited, this work turn even more challenger and complex, already in the earlier conceptual phases these difficulties were faced. The activities related to the preliminary design had as start point the ergonomics of the cockpit, adopting for the aircraft the design philosophy from the inside to the outside. As the engineering activities were developed and considering the particular characteristics of the aircraft, were proposed modifications on the existing theory and new theory approach necessarily emerged, once the available theory on the bibliography proved insufficient. As the results related to the aerodynamics were being obtained, was verified that the performance relative to the flight speeds far exceeded the values initially defined for the operation of the aircraft. With respect to the in flight control characteristics, the results obtained may be considered very satisfactory, except that related to the take-off runway rolling due the few canards efficiency. With respect to the stability behavior the results indicate that the aircraft is marginally positive in some aspects and is marginally negative relative to other aspects.