Take-off characteristics and longitudinal controllability of FanWing

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to study the short take-off characteristics and longitudinal controllability of FanWing. As a new structural plane, it has achieved great success at the air shows, but the existing literature is mostly on feasibility and prototype study while little on short take-off performance analysis and controllability. Thus, the paper will do some research on those two aspects. Design/methodology/approach This paper focuses on a certain type of a 3.5 kg FanWing and builds the longitudinal model based on its structure characteristics and operation principle. Its take-off process is simulated and the longitudinal control law is designed. Findings The short take-off performance and the large load characteristic are verified. To attain a better short take-off performance, several factors that influence the take-off distance are researched, and the optimal no-load take-off distance 5 m is obtained when the elevator deflection angle is −30°, the center of gravity is 0.42 m and the cross-flow fan rotation speed is 2500 r/min. The longitudinal controllability is verified through simulation. And without variable cross-flow fan rotation speed control, the longitudinal control of FanWing is the same to that of the conventional aircraft. Practical implications The presented efforts provide markers for designing the fan wing aircraft that would have better performances. And the control of FanWing is similar to that of a conventional airplane. Originality/value It is proved that FanWing can offer a better take-off performance through reasonable configuration. The paper also offers a useful reference on the control of FanWing.