Design, Analysis, and Testing of a Scaled Propeller for an Innovative Regional Turboprop Aircraft

Abstract

This paper describes the design, numerical analyses, and wind tunnel tests of the scaled model of a propeller serving as a propulsive element for the experimental tests of an advanced regional turboprop aircraft with engines installed on the horizontal tailplane tips. The design has been performed by complying with the thrust similarity from the full-scale aircraft propulsive requirements. Numerical analyses with a high-fidelity aerodynamic solver confirmed that the initial design made with XROTOR would achieve the expected performance. Finally, a strengthened version of the propeller has been manufactured via 3D printing and tested in the wind tunnel. Test data include measurements of thrust as well as propeller normal force at different angles of attack. Good agreement between numerical and experimental results has been observed, enabling the propeller to be used confidently in the aircraft wind tunnel powered test campaign.