A jet airplane has thrust and drag characteristics as shown
A jet airplane has thrust and drag characteristics as shown in the figure below. What are the minimum and maximum airspeeds for this aircraft?
Solution
For steady level flight, thrust available = induced drag + parasitic drag
At higher speeds, parasitic drag dominates and at lower speeds (dicated by CLmax) induced drag dominates.
The velocity above which induced drag + parasitic drag becomes greater than thrust available is around 250 knots (Vmax)
Thrust = 2000
Induced drag = 300
Parasitic drag = 1700
The velocity below which induced drag + parasitic drag becomes greater than thrust available is around 105 knots (Vmin)
Thrust = 2000
Induced drag = 1700
Parasitic drag = 300
