Experiment 1

150mm Chord NACA 0012 Airfoils

Objective

Determine the lift, drag and pitching moment on the 2D airfoil (Constant
Velocity)

Reference:

1. Fundamentals of Aerodynamics (4th edition)

- 5.3.3 Effect of Aspect Ratio
2. Introduction to Flight (5th edition)
- 5.15 Change in the lift slope

Analysis
The lift and pitching moment are automatically calculated by the AFA 3
from the equations:

Lift=Fore load cell force+ Aft load cell force

Pitching Moment=AFA3 Moment Arm Length (Fore load cell force-

Aft load cell force)

It is convenient to refer to the non-dimensional coefficients of lift, drag, and

pitching moment as follows:

1
2

1
2
1
 1
2

Compare the lift curve of 2D airfoil and 3D airfoil

Apparatus

1. AF100 Subsonic wind tunnel

2. Digital manometer
3. AF104 2D& 3D Airfoils
4. AFA3 Three component balance

Specification of AF104 Aerofoil model

Item Details
300mm span & 150 mm chord
Dimensions
150mm span & 150 mm chord
Profile NACA 0012
150mm span=500 g
Weighs
300 mm span=600 g

Wind tunnel operation

a. Start up
- Switch on the electrical isolator on the control and instrumentation
frame.
- Set the speed control to the minimum position (fully anticlockwise)
- Press the green “START” button
- Gradually turn the speed control clockwise until the tunnel is
operation at the speed needed for the experiment

b. Shut down
- Slowly turn the speed control fully anticlockwise
- Press the red STOP button.

c. Emergency Stop
- Press the red STOP button
- Turn the speed control fully anticlockwise
2
Model installation

1. Make sure the electrical supply to the wind tunnel is disconnected.

2. Remove the side window opposite the three component balance.

3. Tighten the balance locks of the three component balance. From

outside the wind tunnel, insert one of the airfoils into the collect of the
three component balance, so that its support shaft passes into the wind
tunnel test section

4. Inside the test section, measure the distance from the centre of the
airfoil to the bottom surface of the test section. This is nominally
152.5mm. Remove the airfoil

5. From inside the test section, insert the airfoil into the model clamp of
the balance, so that its leading edge faces into the airflow. Set the
angle of the three component balance scale to zero degrees. Do not
tighten the model clamp yet.

6. Adjust the trailing edge of the aerofoil to the same height 152.5mm
and tighten the model clamp of the balance. The airfoil is now set as
zero angle of attack.

7. Use the angle adjustment of the balance to rotate the airfoil and check
that it rotates freely in the test section, without rubbing the sides of the
test section. Experimental result will be spoiled if the edges (wingtips)
of the airfoil touch the sides of the test section during experiment.

8. Recheck the adjustments.

9. Refit the side window of the test section

3
Wind Tunnel test procedure

1. Record the ambient temperature and pressure.

2. Release balance lock before test

3. Start the wind tunnel, set free-stream velocity as assigned to each

team.

4. Record the Lift, Drag and Pitching moment readings from the Three
component balance display unit

5. Adjust the angle of attack in steps of 1º from -5º upwards until the lift
passed its maximum magnitude due to the stall.

6. The airfoil is flown “upside down” in the three component balance.

This is normal and allows more accurate balance design. (The sign of
angle of attack in this balance is the opposite which appears in your
text book)

7. Repeat procedure with other NACA 0012 aerofoil

8. Tighten balance lock after test.

4
 NACA 0012 airfoil (2D model)
Velocity m/s
Temperature K
Wing area
Air density Kg/m3
Pa
C
1
N
2

NACA 0012 airfoil (2D model)

AoA Lift Drag Pitching Moment
CL CD CM CL/CD
(deg) (N) (N) (Nm)

5
6
7
 Experiment 2
150mm Chord NACA 0012 Airfoils
Objective

Determine the lift, drag and pitching moment on the 2D airfoil (Constant
AoA)

Reference:

1. Fundamentals of Aerodynamics (4th edition)

- 5.3.3 Effect of Aspect Ratio
2. Introduction to Flight (5th edition)
- 5.15 Change in the lift slope

Analysis
The lift and pitching moment are automatically calculated by the AFA 3
from the equations:

Lift=Fore load cell force+ Aft load cell force

Pitching Moment=AFA3 Moment Arm Length (Fore load cell force-

Aft load cell force)

It is convenient to refer to the non-dimensional coefficients of lift, drag, and

pitching moment as follows:

1
2

1
2
8
 1
2

Compare the lift curve of 2D airfoil and 3D airfoil

Apparatus

5. AF100 Subsonic wind tunnel

6. Digital manometer
7. AF104 2D& 3D Airfoils
8. AFA3 Three component balance

Specification of AF104 Aerofoil model

Item Details
300mm span & 150 mm chord
Dimensions
150mm span & 150 mm chord
Profile NACA 0012
150mm span=500 g
Weighs
300 mm span=600 g

Wind tunnel operation

d. Start up
- Switch on the electrical isolator on the control and instrumentation
frame.
- Set the speed control to the minimum position (fully anticlockwise)
- Press the green “START” button
- Gradually turn the speed control clockwise until the tunnel is
operation at the speed needed for the experiment

e. Shut down
- Slowly turn the speed control fully anticlockwise
- Press the red STOP button.

f. Emergency Stop
- Press the red STOP button
- Turn the speed control fully anticlockwise
9
Model installation

1. Make sure the electrical supply to the wind tunnel is disconnected.

2. Remove the side window opposite the three component balance.

3. Tighten the balance locks of the three component balance. From

outside the wind tunnel, insert one of the airfoils into the collect of the
three component balance, so that its support shaft passes into the wind
tunnel test section

4. Inside the test section, measure the distance from the centre of the
airfoil to the bottom surface of the test section. This is nominally
152.5mm. Remove the airfoil

5. From inside the test section, insert the airfoil into the model clamp of
the balance, so that its leading edge faces into the airflow. Set the
angle of the three component balance scale to zero degrees. Do not
tighten the model clamp yet.

6. Adjust the trailing edge of the aerofoil to the same height 152.5mm
and tighten the model clamp of the balance. The airfoil is now set as
zero angle of attack.

7. Use the angle adjustment of the balance to rotate the airfoil and check
that it rotates freely in the test section, without rubbing the sides of the
test section. Experimental result will be spoiled if the edges (wingtips)
of the airfoil touch the sides of the test section during experiment.

8. Recheck the adjustments.

9. Refit the side window of the test section

10
Wind Tunnel test procedure

1. Record the ambient temperature and pressure.

2. Release balance lock before test

3. Start the wind tunnel, set angle of attack as assigned to each team.

4. Record the Lift, Drag and Pitching moment readings from the Three
component balance display unit

5. Change the velocity in steps of 2 m/s from 0 m/s upwards until the
lift passed its maximum magnitude due to the stall.

6. The airfoil is flown “upside down” in the three component balance.

This is normal and allows more accurate balance design. (The sign of
angle of attack in this balance is the opposite which appears in your
text book)

7. Repeat procedure with other NACA 0012 aerofoil

8. Tighten balance lock after test.

11
 NACA 0012 airfoil (2D model)
AoA deg
Temperature K
Wing area
Air density Kg/m3
Pa
C
1
N
2

12
 NACA 0012 airfoil (2D model)
V Lift Drag Pitching Moment
CL CD CM CL/CD
(m/s) (N) (N) (Nm)

13
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