Aircraft Design MCQ – Aerodynamics – Parasite (Zero-Lift) Drag and Drag due to Lift
1 - Question
Which of the following is a method for estimating the potato drag?
a) Equivalent skin friction method
b) Mach number
c) Weight only
d) Conceptual design
View Answer
Explanation: Equivalent skin friction method is one of the typical method used to estimate parasite drag. Mach number is defined as the ratio of the speed of object to the speed of sound. Weight is force due to gravity.
2 - Question
Equivalent skin friction coefficient can be used to provide initial estimation of the parasite drag.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: Yes, it is true. Equivalent skin friction coefficient can be used to provide information about the initial estimation of parasite drag. In this method, we estimate the parasite drag based on equivalent skin friction coefficient and wetted area of the aircraft.
3 - Question
Equivalent skin friction coefficient may include ______________
a) skin friction and separation drag
b) only wave drag
c) only skin friction drag
d) only thrust loading
View Answer
Explanation: Equivalent skin friction coefficient includes both skin friction and separation drag. Wave drag is supersonic phenomenon. Wave drag occurs when aircraft is traveling with speeds greater than the speed of sound. Thrust loading is defined as the ratio of the thrust and weight.
4 - Question
To get initial estimation of the parasite drag, aircraft wetted area can be multiplied by _____
a) equivalent skin friction coefficient
b) weight
c) lift
d) wing span
View Answer
Explanation: Initial estimation of parasite drag can be obtained by multiplying equivalent skin friction coefficient with wetted area of aircraft. Lift and weight will be in opposite direction to each other. Wing span is a typically length of the aircraft.
5 - Question
Determine the initial estimation of parasite drag coefficient if, equivalent skin friction coefficient is 0.004 and ratio of wetted area to the reference area is 0.8.
a) 0.0032
b) 1.2
c) 4.2
d) 0.04
View Answer
Explanation: Parasite drag coefficient = equivalent skin friction coefficient*area ratio = 0.004*0.8 = 0.0032.
6 - Question
Consider equivalent skin friction coefficient as 0.0025 and Swet/Sref = 0.6. Evaluate parasite drag.
a) 0.0015
b) 02.34
c) 1.23
d) 0.000025
View Answer
Explanation: Parasite drag = equivalent skin friction coefficient*(Swet/Sref) = 0.0025*0.6 = 0.0015.
7 - Question
Find the approximate value of wetted area Swet for given reference area of Sref=20 unit and parasite drag coefficient of 0.0028. Consider equivalent skin friction coefficient Cf as 0.003.
a) 18.67 unit
b) 12 unit
c) 20 unit
d) 65 unit
View Answer
Explanation: Wetted area Swet = Parasite drag coefficient*Sref/Cf = 0.0028*20/0.003 = 18.67 unit.
8 - Question
Determine the value of form factor for fuselage if fuselage fineness ratio f is 1.2.
a) 35.725
b) 12
c) 100
d) 423.2
View Answer
Explanation: Form factor = 1 + (60/f3) + (f/400) = 1 + (60/1.23) + (1.2/400) = 1+34.722+0.003 = 35.725.
9 - Question
Flat plate skin friction coefficient depends upon _____________
a) mach number only
b) reynolds number only
c) mach number, reynolds number etc
d) weight of the aircraft
View Answer
Explanation: Flat plate skin friction coefficient depends upon number of factors including Mach number, Reynolds number, type of flow etc. Mach number is used to provide information about speed of the object with respect to the speed of sound.
10 - Question
Determine Flat plate skin friction coefficient if Reynolds number is 123500. Consider flow to be laminar.
a) 0.0038
b) 1.234
c) 0.045
d) 123500
View Answer
Explanation: Laminar flow flat plate skin friction coefficient = 1.328 / (Reynolds number0.5) = 1.328 / (1235000.5) = 0.0038.
11 - Question
Which of the following is correct for nacelle form factor (FF)?
a) FF = 1+(0.35/f)
b) FF = 1*(0.35/f)
c) FF = 1-(0.35/f)
d) FF = 1/(0.35/f)
View Answer
Explanation: Form factor will be different for different components of an aircraft. For nacelle, form factor can be estimated as follows: Form factor FF = 1 + (0.35/f). Where, f = length/maximum diameter = fineness ratio.