How do you go about designing an aircraft?

I'm prepared for this to be beyond my mental abilities, but I'd like to understand more about aircraft design and aerofoils.

I’ve noticed that there are different types of aerofoil, (I’m observant) but I don’t know why for example a HQW 1/8 mod aerofoil was chosen for the Begin’ Acro, and what that actually means. I came across XFLR5 software for aerofoil analysis but to start with I need the beginners guide to aerofoils and aerodynamics, but where to start? Is there a book? Or do I need to meditate upon it and seek answers in the Akashic records

Also are NACA areofoils referring to the NACA that became NASA?

Yours in much confusion, Gromit.

A bit of searching and I think I'm going to give this book a go:
Model Aircraft Aerodynamics

www.amazon.co.uk/Model-Aircraft-Aerodyna...JF9A06DVQ49WRXTAT2CZ

Chris - If you search under "Designing Model Aircraft" it comes up with many publications
Enough reading material to get you through a long hard winter, it's a vast subject & when
that own design takes to the air, most satisfying.

Colin

But that's part of the problem Colin, there is so much material both on the internet and in books, it's hard to determine what is a good starting point.

By the sound of your post you've designed and built your own model, what was it and how did it fly, any photos?

Martin Simons is a good place to start.
Another Martin worth looking at is Martin Hepperle www.mh-aerotools.de/airfoils/

MikeSeale wrote: Martin Simons is a good place to start.
Another Martin worth looking at is Martin Hepperle www.mh-aerotools.de/airfoils/

I have the Martin Simons book Chris and you are more than welcome to borrow it. Ps I was not impressed - although it refers to aerofoil design, reynolds number, and lots of other aerodynamic principles it fails to deliver as a practical guide of how to select any particular criteria for a given purpose.

There's an old saying:- "if it looks right, it'll fly right". Draw an aeroplane with a shape that you're happy with. Make a simple sheet model to a reasonable scale of your design "1/16" (1.5mm) balsa sheet. Balance the model so that the CG is approx 25% to 30% of the wing chord. (don't know if you can still get Plasticene). Take it out into the garden and launch it. Take the usual trimming steps used by free flight modellers until a smooth launch gives a stable descent with no stalls and no nose ins. That'll give you the approximate position of the CG. When it comes to airfoils, what do you want the model to fly like? Thin airfoils fly fast, the opposite for "fat" ones. A good source of airfoils is "Profili", this program also provides all the design tools you need for the structure of a model aeroplane.. Keep it simple and you'll find it most rewarding. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice.

I may have jumped the gun John, and ordered the book last night, I was looking for some light bedtime reading material anyway, and I figure there is probably nothing better than mulling over Reynolds numbers to ensure a good night sleep. I have to confess to having heard or Reynolds numbers but am just as ignorant about them as I am about knowing if an engine is running rich or lean.

Thanks for the website link Mike.

Hi Brian, I'm not about to jump in and design anything yet, it would be a nice idea in the future and I guess there is a scale plane that I doubt there is a plan or kit for, and might be an interesting project at a much later date. At the moment I'd just like to be a bit more educated about aerodynamics and understand some of the choices the designers made.

Chris001 wrote: Thanks for the advice.
... I'm not about to jump in and design anything yet, it would be a nice idea in the future and I guess there is a scale plane that I doubt there is a plan or kit for, and might be an interesting project at a much later date. At the moment I'd just like to be a bit more educated about aerodynamics and understand some of the choices the designers made.

Make this one Grommit ...

That is just madness!

Actually John, the one I have tucked away in the back of my mind is a Jet, hence in the very distance to none existent future :pinch: And it would have to be ELECTRIC none of that fuel mellarky