Prop Blade Effects

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We often treat the propeller as a uniform “actuator disc” and the slipstream as a uniform stream tube of accelerated and swirling air. While...

Torque and P-factor

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We’ve touched on this during previous discussions of slipstream (most recently in the April 2023 issue), but there are several power and propeller effects...

Thrust Line Effects

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The propeller of an airplane generates thrust that drives it through the air. In addition to propelling the airplane, the thrust of the propeller...

Propeller Effects–Lateral Directional

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The propeller slipstream affects the aerodynamics of the airplane. A propeller accelerates air backward and also imparts a swirl. The air in the slipstream...

Design Process: Slipstream Effects

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In preliminary design and for performance calculations, we treat the engine, propeller and airframe as separate entities. The only engine effect we typically consider...

Design Process: Engine Size

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The engine of an airplane must produce enough power to meet the requirements of all phases of the mission. First, the engine must accelerate the...

Design Process: Strakes and Ventral Fins

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On some airplanes, the basic empennage does not provide acceptable flying qualities in all flight regimes. Supplemental surfaces to augment directional stability, improve high...

H-tails and Triple Tails

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The majority of airplanes use the conventional tail configuration with a single, centrally mounted vertical tail and rudder. Sometimes, however, the vertical tail is...

Design Process: T-Tails

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A T-tail is a configuration where the horizontal tail is mounted on top of the vertical tail rather than directly to the fuselage. T-tails...

Design Process: V-Tails

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A V-tail is a configuration where the horizontal stabilizer and vertical fin are replaced by a pair of surfaces mounted at a high dihedral...

In Case You Missed it

Flaperons, Spoilers and Drooping Ailerons

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There are some situations where there isn’t enough room on the wing’s trailing edge...

Turbine Temptation: Wiring, Avionics and Plumbing

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The systems are simple but space is tight, so plan ahead.

Wind Tunnel

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Seemingly inconsequential alterations—even mounting an inflight camera on the airframe—can result in big changes to an aircraft’s handling and performance.