Air Racing… aerodynamics or weight, discuss…
This is the topic this week in Abu Dhabi… we know there would be lots to talk about here but nobody foresaw the main question… in Team Bonhomme we’ve concentrated on making a slippery aeroplane which doesn’t hurt or insult the air through which it passes. Other teams have reduced weight so that their respective engines and wings can accelerate quickly after a turn or deceleration… and I know you’re now wondering which will work? Can I tell you on Saturday evening after the race? This is a sweeping generalisation but the MXS teams have gone for weight reduction and the Edge teams have tried to sort out drag… except for Hannes Arch who clearly has done nothing aerodynamically but is rumoured to be fairly light (looks like he could do with a pudding or two to me!)
The heavier the aeroplane, the more drag you’ll have for a given speed, especially under G during turns (when the wing has to lift more at a given speed, it does that at a higher angle of attack hence more drag)… but try putting your hand flat against the airflow whilst driving in the car (disclaimer… I didn’t say whilst oncoming cars approach, or hedges for that matter)… there is a lot of drag even at 30mph… imagine an inefficient aeroplane at 230 mph… lots of drag… and that’ll slow you down…
Our aeroplane was weighed by the Technical Director two days ago and has put on a bit of weight but clearly at the same time has become extremely clean (low drag)… we’re all itching to get into the track to find out which will work… and that’ll depend a lot on the track. Turning tracks probably favour the light aeroplanes and the straight/river tracks might favour the streamlined aeroplanes. Tomorrow, Wednesday 15th, sees the first training session on the race track, reliable lap times probably won’t be available until after training 3 which is on Thursday… Watch this space!