1. Introduction

Introduction 

1.1

Our research is on different types of airfoils and wing types to benefit the fixed-wing drone industry. Current airfoils and shapes are more or less standardized. Hence we are looking forward to discovering different types of airfoils to help in various sectors such as longer sustained flight or faster speeds. This will benefit different types of fixed wing drones in the industry. With a more efficient wing design, a powered fixed-wing drone can fly farther due to a more efficient wing requiring less energy to generate lift. We found out that lift is directly proportional to the wing area. The amount of lift generated by an object depends on the size and weight of the object. Lift is one of four aerodynamic forces (the other being weight, drag and trust) and therefore depends on the pressure variation of the air around the body as it moves through the air. The total aerodynamic force is equal to the pressure times the surface area around the body. Lift is the component of this force perpendicular to the flight direction. Like the other aerodynamic force, drag, the lift is directly proportional to the area of the object. The angle which the glider is launched from will also affect the distance the glider flies. If the glider pitches up too much, it will only gain more altitude and not distance. If the glider is launched with a downward pitch, it will hit the ground before covering a substantial distance. The tension created by the bungee cord is also a contributing factor to how far the glider will fly. Our investigation will be covering types of wings and their effect on aerodynamic efficiency. We will be testing out Delta wings, Compound Delta,  Swept wings, Swept wings with winglets, Constant chord, Constant chord with winglets.

1.2

Which wing design help the plane to glide the farthest?

1.3

The hypothesis is that the Sweptwing with winglet will fly the furthest as we see most aircraft designers use this wing design to built their aircraft.


Lion Air 737 Max with the special winglet design by Boeing