Barnaby Wainfan
Barnaby Wainfan is a principal aerodynamics engineer for Northrop Grumman’s Advanced Design organization. A private pilot with single engine and glider ratings, Barnaby has been involved in the design of unconventional airplanes including canards, joined wings, flying wings and some too strange to fall into any known category.
Design Process: Distribution of Lift Coefficient
In the last few months, we have explored how planform and taper affect both the distribution of total lift across the span and the...
Design Process: Planform Effects on Structure and Weight
Last month we took a look at how the planform of the wing affects the spanwise distribution of lift along the wing. The shape...
Design Process: Planform Effects on Span Loading and Drag
Last month we started our discussion of wing planforms with a look at the various planform shapes in use. We now turn our attention...
Design Process: Planform Shape
Last month we took a look at the effects of span and aspect ratio. At this point on the design of the wing, we...
Design Process: Span and Aspect Ratio
At this point in the design process we have determined the wing area. The choice of high- versus low-wing and structural concept of the...
Design Process: Cantilever Wings
Last month we began our discussion of the structural layout of the wing with a look at externally braced wings. We now turn our...
Design Process: Braced Wings
As we saw last month, the designer has two fundamental choices of wing structural architecture: cantilever or externally braced. In a cantilever layout all...
Design Process: Wing Structure
Last month we started our discussion of wing design with a look at the vertical placement of the wing on the fuselage (high versus...
Design Process: Wing Design
At this point in the design process, we have gotten the airplane sized, balanced, and after six months of consideration gotten the landing gear...
Design Process: Landing Gear, Part 6
Last month, I ran out of space before getting to the end of our discussion of landing gear. This month, we conclude the series...
In Case You Missed it
Free Flight
There are many reasons that building your own airplane takes awhile. Columnist Paul Dye details the pitfalls of completing one seemingly simple maintenance task, which brings into focus the bigger picture.
