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...
Design Process: Landing Gear, Part 5
For the past few editions of Wind Tunnel, we’ve been exploring the factors that drive the configuration and placement of landing gear. Last month...
Design Process: Landing Gear, Part 4
Last month we looked at how the static stability of the airplane when it is sitting at rest on its landing gear affects the...
Design Process: Landing Gear, Part 3
Last month we took a look at the basic characteristics of the two most common landing gear configurations: tricycle and taildragger. We will now...
Design Process: Landing Gear, Part 2
As we started to discuss last month, the landing gear is a major component of the airplane that affects the design in significant ways....
Design Process: Landing Gear
It’s time to turn our attention to a major component of the airplane—the landing gear.
In Case You Missed It
One Marvelous Community
This month’s column is inspired by the most recent AirVenture, which has left me...
