Airfoil Design

[cannon freak]

I need some help, could anyone direct me to some books and/or sites so that I can figure out how to design an airfoil properly, I don't know about much of the math behind it and thats why I need the information.

Any help would be appreaceated, thanks.

[saladtossser]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airfoil

dont do the math, just print out templates for whatever you are going to do

[Shrimphead]

Agreed. There is still debate on how an airfoil works. Some people think that lift is caused by lower pressure above the wing from the faster moving air, while some think it has to do with some really complicated angle stuff where the air bounces all weird. The article was too complicated and I was too lazy to read it all. My point is, that I don't really think there is just "math" you can do to figure it out.

I would suggest downloading Designfoil (I think that's the name). Basically it's a program where you can select airfoils and then run them through the wind tunnel thing and it tells you the coefficient of lift and drag and such. Then you can go and adjust them and see how it affects the performance and you can design one that's specific to your needs. You can download a free trial, however I don't believe it lets you print out a template of the airfoil unless you buy the full version.

If you just want an overall fair performance airfoil, then here is a quote from Orion (an aircraft engineer) on homebuiltairplanes.com " The best classic foil is probably the 4412 or the 4415, depending on how much structural height you need in the wing panel." If you don't already know, these airfoils belong to the NACA series. You could just google NACA 4412 (or 4415) and you'll probably find a website with a basic template.

What is this for, anyways?

[cannon freak]

Ya I guess Il just use the templates, thanks.
As for what this is for its for a plane that Ive been thinking about building, now that I have the time since it's summer its time to get started. I have barly begun designing it, but my hope is to get a very, very fast speed by using small turbine gas engines, and by using insertable homemade rocket motors.

[Shrimphead]

I would highly suggest registering for homebuiltairplanes.com and get help from the people there. They really have a lot of knowledge and will help you stay safe.
Have fun

[jrrdw]

Is this going to be remote control? If so your 1st plane should have a higher wing mount, like Cesna's. Alot easier to fly.

[cannon freak]

Well it looks like I still have alot of reasearching to do, thanks for all of the input thoguh I will keep it in mind when constructing the design.

[benstern]

I can get you programs that will help you design your airfoil better.

[cannon freak]

Really, what are they called?

[)DEMON(]

Is this rc or are you going to fly it.

[cannon freak]

Its going to be RC

[benstern]

http://www.profili2.com/eng/default.htm
http://www.winfoil.com/winfoil/default.htm