April 26, 2006 – Cambridge , MA
A PDF of this release is available here.
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The 1/5th scale model of the Transition in the Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel at MIT in Cambridge, MA with tufts and smoke wand for flow characterization. Testing was completed 4/26/2006. |
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Using a combination of 2-D viscous airfoil analysis and 3-D vortex lattice codes (XFoil, and AVL), the basic design of the outer mold line of the Transition was isolated in early February 2006.
A 1/5 th scale wind tunnel model based on that configuration was built using foam core composite wet lay-up techniques. Testing was successfully completed in MIT's Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel on April 26, 2006.
The vehicle was swept through angles of attack ranging from -4 to 18 degrees at beta (yaw) angles of 0 and +/- 15 degrees. Data was collected on a 6-Degree-Of-Freedom force balance, measuring lift, drag, and side force, as well as moments around all three axes.
The tests confirmed the predictions of the vortex-lattice code used in the design process: with proper center-of-gravity (CG) placement the Transition is aerodynamically stable, and the stall characteristics are benign. As the angle of attack is increased, the canard stalls first followed by the wing root then finally the wing tip – providing a natural recovery or “safe-stall.” As the elevator is on the tail of the Transition (not on the canard), the pilot maintains pitch authority allowing him/her to “mush” the stall a bit more than is possible with a typical canard design. In addition, the sequence of flow separation from the lifting surfaces will allow roll authority to be maintained throughout stall.
Terrafugia wishes to thank the MIT Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics for their assistance with this test.