Aerodynamic modelling of a tilt-wing transition corridor

Abstract

With the recent rapid evolution of the UAM class concepts in past years, the re-emerged interest in VTOL concepts and their aerodynamics arises. The tilt-wing is one of the possible solutions for such a vehicle. Recent decades of tilt-wing aerodynamic research point to the importance of the understanding transition regime from cruise to hover. Especially the wing stall phenomena which affect descent capabilities and control during the landing phase. Understanding such a regime is crucial for optimal wing design. This paper presents several approaches to the modelling of aerodynamic forces during the critical phase of transition. Computations are aimed particularly to the edge of the flight envelope. The low to high fidelity methods are employed and compared with the results of low-speed wind tunnel testing. The results from high fidelity methods match well with experimental results but the proposed simple analytical model fails in prediction of the transition corridor in the most critical regimes.