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A methodology for the preliminary analysis and comparison of wing-tail and canard configurations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

G. Lombardi  and
G. Mengali
G. Lombardi
Affiliation:
Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy
G. Mengali
Affiliation:
Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy
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Abstract

A methodology for the analysis of the performance of different aircraft configurations in the conceptual design phase is addressed. A scalar objective function, takeoff weight, is minimised by means of a numerical optimisation technique which takes into account the high number of geometrical parameters and the flight mechanics requirements involved in the problem. The study is confined to the cruise segment of the mission, and results are shown both for tail-aft and canard configurations. The above technique produces “equally” optimised configurations, thus giving a meaningful means to compare tail-aft and canard configurations.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 101 , Issue 1004 , April 1997 , pp. 169 - 178
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1997 

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