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pTooner wrote:
> Firstly, I'm new here although I have been reading for a few days. For
> anyone with more knowledge than I, I keep considering building a small 4
> wing aircraft. Not stacked, but two up front and two in the rear. I've
> read frequently of problems supposedly resulting from interference of the
> airflow between wings, but I cannot seem to find anything very specific. I am
> fairly confident that interference between the front wings (or rear) can be
> minimized by reasonable spacing and differing dihedral. I am not sure what
> the effect of the airflow coming off the front wings will have on the rear
> set. I do not know whether I could remove most of the problem by having one
> set considerably higher (how much?) than the other set or if it is
> reasonable to have them on more or less the same height. The reason for
> the concept is trying to get a wingspan small enough to fit into a normal
> garage and conceivably take off and land from streets and highways. I
> visualise something in a two place plane that would fall into something of
> the appeal category of a motorcycle or small sports car. Any thoughts would
> be appreciated.
>
> Gerry
John Roncz called a 3 surface airplane he participated in the design of
"the aerodynamicists full employment act"!
You will, with optimization of all the variables. be lucky to get 40%
of the lift/drag ratio of an equivalent conventional planform.
But the bigger problem will be control. Pitch stability, in and out of
ground effect, will be a formidable problem, as will stall
characteristics. Compromises needed to make the handling acceptable
may make the efficiency even worse.
I agree with Ernst - a low aspect ratio delta/lifting body makes more
sense. Perhaps a 2 seat Facetmobile with the outer portions folding
inward like a Dyke Delta.
But have you looked at all the wires around most roads? Not an area I
would want to use for landing and takeoff.
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Re: questions on multi-wing planforms
