In: Mechanical Engineering
A Cessna 172 has the following characteristics: Wingspan: 36’ 1” Wing Area: 174 ft2 Normal Gross Weight: 2,450 lb Fuel Capacity: 54 gal of aviation gasoline Power Plant: 1 × Lycoming IO–360–L2A piston engine, 180 hp Specific Fuel Consumption: 0.3 lb/hp-h Parasite drag coefficient: CD,0 = 0.037 Oswald efficiency factor: e = 0.72 Propeller efficiency: 0.8 #Passengers: 3 (+1 pilot)
(a) Produce a plot showing the power required vs. velocity of the aircraft. Label the axes clearly. [Use Excel or a programming language of your choice]
(b) Produce a plot showing the L/D ratio vs. velocity. Label the axes clearly. [Use Excel or a programming language of your choice]
(c) What is the maximum velocity at sea level?
(d) What is the minimum flight velocity at sea level?
(e) What is the maximum velocity at 5,000 ft?
(f) What is the maximum rate of climb?
(g) What is the service ceiling?
(h) How long does it take to get to the service ceiling?
(i) If you run out of fuel at an altitude of 5,000 ft, how far can the plane glide?
(j) What is the maximum range?
(k) What is the range at maximum velocity?
(l) What is the maximum endurance?
(m) What distance is required for takeoff?
(n) What distance is required for landing?