Drag count

A drag count is a dimensionless unit used by aerospace engineers where 1 drag count is equal to a C_d of 0.0001.[1][2]

Definition

A drag count \Delta C_\mathrm d\, is defined as:

\Delta C_\mathrm d = 10^{4} \dfrac{2 F_\mathrm d}{\rho v^2 A}\, , [3]

where:

F_\mathrm d\, is the drag force, which is by definition the force component in the direction of the flow velocity,[4]
\rho\, is the mass density of the fluid,[5]
v\, is the speed of the object relative to the fluid and
A\, is the reference area.

The drag coefficient is used to compare the solutions of different geometries by means of a dimensionless number. A drag count is used as a more user-friendly measurement as the coefficient of drag is usually much less than 1. A drag count of 200 to 400 is typical for an airplane at cruise.[6] A reduction of one drag count on a subsonic civil transport airplane means about 200 lbs more in payload.[7]

References

  1. ↑ T. Yechout. Introduction to Aircraft Flight Mechanics: Performance, static stability, dynamic stability, and classical feedback control. AIAA Education Series. 2003. http://books.google.ca/books?id=a_c2V0zAFwcC&pg=PA51&lpg=PA51&dq=drag+count&source=bl&ots=ZE7-7RqzBf&sig=_zGTQQWXAuPaYLlgd-tReHT1pa4&hl=en#v=onepage&q=drag%20count&f=false
  2. ↑ Basha, W. A. and Ghaly, W. S., “Drag Prediction in Transitional Flow over Airfoils,” Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 44, 2007,p. 824–32.
  3. ↑ Hucho, Aerodynamik des Automobils, ISBN 978-3-8348-1919-2
  4. ↑ See lift force and vortex induced vibration for a possible force components transverse to the flow direction.
  5. ↑ Note that for the Earth's atmosphere, the air density can be found using the barometric formula. Air is 1.293 kg/m3 at 0 °C and 1 atmosphere
  6. ↑ "Ask Us - Drag Coefficient & Lifting Line Theory". Aerospaceweb.org. 2004-07-11. http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/aerodynamics/q0184.shtml. Retrieved 2010-12-07
  7. ↑ Van Dam, C. P., Aircraft Design and the Importance of Drag Prediction, VKI Lecture Series 2003-2:CFD-Based Aircraft Drag. Prediction and Reduction, National Inst. of Aerospace, Hampton, VA,Nov. 2003.

See also


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