Formation flight is currently being investigated as a means to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency in commercial aviation. In an attempt to approximate passenger impact in formation flight, a simple aerodynamic model for two aircraft in formation was developed. The wing trailing vortices were assumed to shift in an ideal fashion within atmospheric turbulence resulting in aerodynamic disturbance loads acting on the trailing aircraft. As the sensitivity of the human body to vibrations is frequency dependent, a spectral representation of atmospheric turbulence was incorporated. Monte Carlo simulations were done for various levels of turbulence intensity. The predicted acceleration responses of the trailing aircraft were used to determine the passenger comfort levels by applying the criteria of standard 2631-1 from the International Organization for Standardization and comparing with comfort levels experienced in an aircraft flying in isolation in the same turbulent atmosphere. A significant increase in discomfort was predicted for the lateral separations corresponding to the location for optimum drag benefit. Seating locations forward and inboard (closer to the lead aircraft) of the mass center showed the greatest increase in discomfort.


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    Title :

    Tentative Study of Passenger Comfort During Formation Flight Within Atmospheric Turbulence


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Journal of Aircraft ; 50 , 3 ; 886-900


    Publication date :

    2013-05-01




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English