Aerodynamic Design and Analysis of an Interchangeable Aircraft Model for Propeller Integration and Aeropropulsive Studies

This paper introduces the Standard Model ITA (SMI), an interchangeable aircraft model framework designed to investigate aeropropulsive integration of propellers in support to future sustainable aviation applications. Early design phases progress rapidly, requiring streamlined methods to capture aeropropulsive effects from high-level parameters within product development time constraints. Designed as a generic approach, the methodology can integrate aerodynamic data from theoretical models and wind tunnel tests (WTT), leveraging information at the integrated coefficient level supporting quick comparative analysis. The method focuses on longitudinal characterization, describing local angle of attack and dynamic pressure at the horizontal tail using 3D-equivalent parameters. For rear-mounted configurations, the same procedure enables the calculation of averaged propeller slipstream swirl and dynamic pressure effects at the pylon, while installed propeller inflow angles are determined via in-plane force analysis. The aerodynamic evaluation of the SMI platform was conducted using CFD RANS simulations for power-off conditions, with further characterization in power-on conditions using Flightstream, a panel-method solver. The wing-mounted configuration (SMI-L1) exhibits a significant reduction in static stability in powered conditions. Whereas rear-mounted configurations (SMI-L2 and SMI-L3) are inherently more stable concepts. This research provides a structured methodology for incorporating aeropropulsive effects early in the design cycle, enhancing aircraft sizing efforts and supporting sustainable aviation objectives.