Physics-Based Lifting Surface Weight Estimation for Conceptual Design of Vertical Takeoff and Landing Aircraft

Abstract

This paper presents a physics-based lifting surface weight estimation methodology for vertical takeoff and landing urban air mobility aircraft that is suitable for conceptual design. In addition to distributed aerodynamic loads, the method takes into account concentrated propulsor and inertial loads experienced by these concepts that are specific to (i) vertical takeoff and landing operations, and (ii) the configuration of the aircraft in question. The weights predicted by the developed method are compared to and calibrated against those obtained from semi-empirical weight estimation relationships to verify whether weight trends with respect to key geometric parameters are adequately captured. Thereafter, the developed method is incorporated into Parametric Energy-based Aircraft Configuration Evaluator, an aircraft sizing and performance analysis framework, which is then used to size an urban air mobility aircraft for a representative mission.