AERODYNAMICS (ಠ_ಠ)
Sample Problem M3:
1. A low-speed subsonic aircraft is flying at an altitude where the ambient pressure and density are 1761 lb/ft2
and 0.00203 slug/ft³. If a pitot tube mounted on the wing tip measures a pressure of 1818 lb/ft2, what is the
true velocity of the aircraft? What is the equivalent airspeed?
2. A high-speed subsonic aircraft is flying at an altitude where the pressure and temperature are 265, 000 Pa
and 230 K, respectively. A pitot tube on the wing tip measures a pressure of 424, 000 Pa. Calculate the Mach
number, true airspeed and calibrated airspeed at which the aircraft is flying. Assume R = 287.08 J/kg.K and k
= 1.4.
3. The wing span of the Wright Flyer I biplane is 40 ft. 4 in., and the planform area of each wing is 255 ft.2 and
assuming that the wing shape is rectangular, calculate the total skin friction drag on the wings. Assume
standard sea level conditions and a velocity of 30 mi/h. The transition Reynold's number is 6.5 x 105. The
areas of laminar and turbulent flow are illustrated below.
4. A wing with a chord length of 3 m and area of 23.7 m2 is subjected to an airflow with a velocity of 100 m/s. If
all conditions are at standard sea level condition, compute for the Reynolds number at the point 1.2 m from
the leading edge.
5. Given the conditions in problem number 1, calculate the boundary layer thickness at the trailing edge and
the total skin friction drag. Consider the flow to be completely laminar. Assume the wing is approximated by
a flat plate.
6. Given the conditions in problem number 1, calculate the boundary layer thickness at the trailing edge and
the total skin friction drag. Consider the flow to be completely turbulent. Assume the wing is approximated
by a flat plate.
Activity 1:
1. The altimeter on a low speed Cessna 150 private aircraft reads 5000 ft. By an independent measurement, the
outside air temperature is 505 °R. If a pitot tube mounted on the wing tip measures a pressure of 1818 psf, what is
the true velocity of the airplane? What is the equivalent airspeed?
2. A high speed subsonic McDonnel Douglas DC 10 airliner is flying at a pressure altitude of 10 km. A pitot tube on
the wing tip measures a pressure of 4 24 x 104 Pa Calculate the Mach number at which the airplane is flying. If the
ambient air temperature is 230 K, calculate the true airspeed and the calibrated airspeed.
3. An experimental rocket powered aircraft is flying with a velocity of 3000 mph at an altitude where the ambient
pressure and temperature are 151 psf and 390 °R, respectively. A pitot tube is mounted in the nose of the aircraft.
What is the pressure measured by the Pitot tube?
Activity 2:
1. A pitot tube is mounted in the test section of a low speed subsonic wind tunnel. The flow in the test section has a
velocity, static pressure, and temperature of 150 mi/h, 1 atm, and 70⁰ F, respectively. Calculate the pressure
measured by the pitot tube.
2. The altimeter on a low speed Piper Aztec reads 8000 ft. A pitot tube mounted on the wing tip measures a pressure
of 1650 psf. If the outside air temperature is 500⁰ R, what is the true velocity of the airplane? What is the equivalent
airspeed?
3. The altimeter on a low speed airplane reads 2 km. The airspeed indicator reads 50 m/s. If the outside air
temperature is 280 K, what is the true velocity of the airplane?
4. A pitot tube is mounted in the test section of a high speed subsonic wind tunnel. The pressure and temperature of
the airflow are 1 atm and 270 K, respectively. If the flow velocity is 250 m/s, what is the pressure measured by the
pitot tube?
Sample Problem M4:
1. NACA 2421, chord = 10ft
2. NACA 24012, chord = 9ft
3. The lift produced in wing with an area of 8 m2 is 3800 N. If the freestream velocity and density are 70 m/s
and 2.5 kg/m3, respectively, what is the coefficient of lift?
4. The drag experienced by a wing with an area of 9 m2 is 900 N. The flow of the air is 60 m/s and the density is
1.225 kg/m3. Compute for the drag coefficient.
5. A wing with a chord length and area of 1.2 m and 15 m2 is subjected to a flow velocity of 50 m/s. The
freestream density and moment are 1.225 kg/m3 and 4200 N.m, respectively. What is the moment
coefficient?
6. Consider an airfoil mounted in a low-speed wind tunnel. The flow velocity in the test section is 100 ft/s, and
the conditions are standard sea level. If the pressure at a point in the airfoil is 2102 lb/ft2, what is the
pressure coefficient?
7. The CP at a point in the airfoil when the M<0.3 is -1.8. If the Mach number is increased to 0.4, compute for
the CP.
