Comparison of model predictions for coherence length to in-flight measurements at cruise conditions

Abstract

In this paper, we will focus on coherence lengths of pressure fluctuations underneath a turbulent boundary layer on an actual aircraft measured during a flight test. Coherence lengths of pressure fluctuations have already been measured in the past and various models have been set up in order to predict the values. However, most of the underlying data were measured at Mach numbers and pressures different from our region of interest and it is not known if the models are applicable. In some of the investigations also unknown alignment procedures between array and flow were used and it will be shown that this can have a considerable influence on the result. We have performed flight tests at cruising speed and altitude in which we took due account of this alignment by means of an array processing technique which is capable of determining the flow direction for each frequency bin under consideration. In this paper one of the data points will be evaluated and compared to the prediction models. From the differences and subsequently from the adopted run conditions for the measurement of the data of the models, several conclusions are drawn concerning scaling effects and importance of alignment. Also, two of the prediction models are adjusted to our measurements.