I bet this is FAQ stuff, so could someone point me to the direction of that? (Couldn't find it with quick googling)
I used to build those balsa&paper kits as a kid, and mysteriously I just got an inspiration again after seeing some RC airplanes in a window of a store.
However, I want to build my own. First I'd like to complete my very own desing with balsa and paper. After that I'd like to create one with styrofoam fuselage, balsa wings and hardened with carbon fiber cloth. This will probably be more of a proto model rather than actually well flying airplane. After this, I'd like to improve on previous model and power it with an electrical AC motor. This would be a free flighter. Finally, my plan would be to desing fully controllable plane from scratch. This probably seems way too ambitious, but I am in no hurry. I'm not so much excited about flying the device itself. My primary goal is to learn more about aerodynamics.
And then to the inane questions... (Please point me to the FAQ ;))
- Is there free available software to simulate aerodynamics properties of complete structures. For example, I would model the whole thing in some cad or 3d studio max or whatever, and import it to the aerodynamics software. Which in turn would run some kind of virtual airtunnel for it, and finally tell me that my desing flies like a rock :) Ok, I don't understand much about aerodynamics, so I don't actually know what to expect from such software. Some kind of visual interpretation of data on lift, drag and so on would be helpfull while I'm learning the ropes. Reasonably priced software (sub 100 euros) would sound good too. Once I get more serious about this project I might consider more expensive solutions. What do the pro's use?
- Is it theoretically possible to have such software that would also simulate the internal effects of the models engine(s) to the dynamics? Say, I would have an engine under both wings, propellers positioned partially in the front of the wings. Would it be possible to simulate how the engines airflows affect the environmental airflow? How about the effects on structural tension because of partial obscuration of the airflow from the engine (engine trying to bend it's strut because of nonuniformal distribution of the delivered power from the propeller)
- How do I work with carbon fiber? My understanding is that I can coat something with carbon fiber cloth and somehow harden it... What is the procedure for hardening the sheet? Does it shrink(or grow) while hardening?
- How to work with styrofoam? What kind of tools are needed to easily craft it?
- What should I expect to pay for a crappy&cheap servo kit + radio control for a plane? Is there such ready made kits, or am I looking forward to also making the electronics design?
- Is there some thumb of rule for selecting an electrical motor? At this point, my plan for getting an electrical motor(s) for the first powered proto is just to trial an error.
I am an electrical automation assembler by education, and a software integrator by trade. I also know how to use different brands of 3d modelling softwares. I can do basic electrical elngineering and have close friends who can work with microelectronics. I can also program in several languages, so creating my own approximation software from physics theories is an option too. (Once I get an idea at what I am throwing myself at)
So, thanks for reading. I'm eagerly waiting for any answers. This is my first post, and to be honest, I haven't lurked enough here to know if this proper group for my post. If not, please point me to the right direction.