High Precision Wind Tunnel Models Simulate New Airliner Performance

MANY years before a new airliner takes off on its maiden flight, models of the aircraft will have simulated numerous take‐offs, landings and high‐speed flights in wind tunnel testing. Measurements taken at hundreds of minute measuring points in the wing area provide information from which the aircraft's characteristics, its performance and in particular its economy of operation can be determined. The behaviour of the aircraft during its first flight and even in all flight conditions can therefore be predicted long before it leaves the ground.