Method for reducing wave resistance in airplane

摘要

A method to reduce the wave resistance of an airplane by disposing a fluid element such as an engine nacelle at a predetermined position on an upper surface of a main wing, positively superposing the air flow generated by the fluid element onto the air flow on the upper surface of the main wing, thereby establishing a gentle profile of pressure on the upper surface of the main wing, and retarding the generation of a shock wave. If the engine nacelle is disposed on the upper surface of the main wing, and the longitudinal position of the front end of the engine nacelle is set in a range of 63% to 100% from the front end of a wing chord of the main wing (see b and i in Fig. 9), a shock wave is generated on the upper surface of the main wing in the range of a transonic speed to inhibit an increase in wave resistance. Thus, the cruising speed can be increased, while avoiding an increase in amount of fuel consumed. If the front end of the engine nacelle is ahead of the position corresponding to 63% of the wing chord (see e and f in Fig. 9), a shock wave inhibiting effect is not exhibited, and the wave resistance is increased. <IMAGE>