Model Development for a Comparison of VTOL and STOL Electric Aircraft Using Geometric Programming

Abstract

There is widespread interest in the use of electric aircraft for short missions in and around urban areas. Most of the vehicle configurations proposed for these missions are electric Vertical Takeo and Landing (VTOL) configurations, due to perceived limitations on the available infrastructure. Several recent studies have proposed electric Short Takeo and Landing (STOL) aircraft with externally blown flaps as viable alternatives for urban operations. One of the claimed benefits of STOL aircraft is increased mission performance (in terms of range, payload, or speed) compared to an VTOL aircraft of the same weight. This study discusses the development of the models necessary to investigates this claim for a variety of possible missions, available infrastructure sizes, and levels of technology. Preliminary mission spaces where STOL or VTOL aircraft are the most weight-e cient choice are identified. The analysis is done using geometric programming, a convex optimization framework that enables rapid design re-optimization over a broad mission space. F Flap deflection Wake circulation µ Wheel friction coe cient ' Velocity potential Horseshoe vortex circulation

Development of a Simulation Environment to Track Key Metrics to Support Trajectory Energy Management of Electric Aircraft

“…Similarly as in [31], the transition between flight on vertical rotors to flight on wings and vice-versa can be modeled as a vertical and horizontal force balance. Where [31] considers the average lifting thrust over the transition in the force balance, the quadratic relation of lift with freestream velocity, = 1/2 2 ∞ , can instead be used as a constraint during the transition. This is shown visually in Figure 4 in the case of a level transition, i.e.…”

Derivation and Flight Test Validation of Maximum Rate of Climb during Takeoff for Fixed-Wing UAV Driven by Propeller Engine

“…On the other hand, in recent years, studies [6,7] have been conducted on takeoff with regard to manned fixed-wing aircraft. Study [6] evaluates the aerodynamic performance of channel wings that increase lift and contribute to a short takeoff, and study [7] estimates the takeoff performance of an aircraft equipped with a DEP (Distributed Electric Propulsion) blown wing that increases lift.…”

“…On the other hand, in recent years, studies [6,7] have been conducted on takeoff with regard to manned fixed-wing aircraft. Study [6] evaluates the aerodynamic performance of channel wings that increase lift and contribute to a short takeoff, and study [7] estimates the takeoff performance of an aircraft equipped with a DEP (Distributed Electric Propulsion) blown wing that increases lift. However, those techniques in the above studies deal with the improvement of takeoff performance by using new wings, and require hardware modifications or an increase in the amount of propulsion equipment.…”