Aerofoil selection

The airfoil section is responsible for the generation of the optimum pressure distribution on
the top and bottom surfaces of the wing such that the required lift is created with the lowest
aerodynamic cost (i.e., drag and pitching moment.

There are two ways to determine the wing airfoil section:

1-airfoil design;

2. airfoil selection.

The design of the airfoil is a complex and time-consuming process and needs expertise in the
fundamentals of aerodynamics at graduate level , so we select aerofoil section by selection.

In the process of wing airfoil selection, we do not look at airfoil geometry only, or its
pressure distribution. Instead, we examine the airfoil operational outputs that are more
informative to satisfy design requirements. There are several graphs that illustrate the
characteristics of each airfoil when compared to other airfoils in the wing airfoil selection
process. These are mainly the variations of non-dimensionalized lift, drag, and pitching
moment relative with angle of attack.

Thus, we evaluate the performance and characteristics of an airfoil by looking at the

following graphs:

1-The variations of lift coefficient versus the angle of attack

Cl(lift coefficient)= l(lift moment)/ 0.5ρV ^2(C ·1)

2- The variations of pitching moment coefficient about a quarter-chord versus the angle of
attack.

Cm=m/0.5ρV ^2(C •1).

3- The variations of pitching moment coefficient about the aerodynamic center versus the
lift coefficient.

4-The variations of the drag coefficient versus the lift coefficient.

5. The variations of the lift-to-drag ratio versus the angle of attack

Cd=d/0.5ρV ^2(C •1) note (c.l) is aerofoil areal that equals unite span (1) times chord(c).

These graphs have several critical features that are essential to the airfoil selection process.
In general, the following are the criteria to select an airfoil for a wing with a collection of
design requirements:

1. The airfoil with the highest maximum lift coefficient (Clmax).

2. The airfoil with the proper ideal or design lift coefficient (Cld or Cli).

3. The airfoil with the lowest minimum drag coefficient (Cdmin).

4. The airfoil with the highest lift-to-drag ratio ((Cl/Cd)max).

5. The airfoil with the highest lift curve slope (Clαmax).

6. The airfoil with the lowest (closest to zero; negative or positive) pitching moment
coefficient (Cm).

7. The proper stall quality in the stall region (the variation must be gentle, not sharp).

8. The airfoil must be structurally reinforceable. The airfoil should not be so thin that
spars cannot be placed inside.

9. The airfoil must be such that the cross-section is manufacturable.

10. The cost requirements must be considered.

11. Other design requirements must be considered. For instance, if the fuel tank has
been designated to be placed inside the wing inboard section, the airfoil must allow
sufficient space for this purpose.

NACA airfoils are One of the most reliable resources and widely used databases is the list
of airfoils that have.

Characteristics of several NACA airfoil sections :

Practical Steps for Wing Airfoil
Section Selection