Natural laminar flow (NLF) may be attained in aircraft with lower cost, weight, and maintenance penalties than active flow laminarization by means of a slot suction system. A high performance general aviation jet aircraft possessing a moderate degree of NLF over wing, fuselage, empennage and engine nacelles will accrue a 24 percent reduction in total aircraft drag in the cruise regime. NASA-Langley has conducted NLF research centered on the use of novel airfoil profiles as well as composite and milled aluminum alloy construction methods which minimize three-dimensional aerodynamic surface roughness and waviness. It is noted that higher flight altitudes intrinsically reduce unit Reynolds numbers, thereby minimizing turbulence for a given cruise speed.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Natural laminar flow hits smoother air


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    1985-07-01



    Type of media :

    Miscellaneous


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English


    Keywords :




    Smoother Skylark

    Engineering Index Backfile | 1954


    Smoother transmission

    Online Contents | 2002


    Smoother Terrain-Machine

    Marklund,B. / Swedish Univ.Of Agricultural Science,SE | Automotive engineering | 1984