Taking a C-17 to Carswell Air Show this weekend in Ft. Worth

[Brad]

http://www.airpowerexpo.com/

I'm taking a C-17 down there for a static display. If anybody comes out be sure and stop by and say howdy.

Last edited by Brad on Thu May 14, 2009 9:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Glyn]

http://www.airpowerexpo.com/

I'm taking a C-17 down there for a static display. If anybody comes out be sure and stop by and say howdy.

Brad, what is the reason for the little 'delta wings' on each side of the engines?

[tex-fan]

looks like it will be a good show. BUT i'm working saturday.

[RareBear]

The small wings on each side of the C-17's engine nacelles are vortex generators. Most aircraft have them on the wings, but on the C-17 they are on the sides of the nacelles.

Walt

[Brad]

Walt has pretty much summed it up.

From the Hymnal (Structural Repair Manual): "The strakes help reduce turbulence at the wing leading edge during high angle-of-attack flight."

From the Bible (Flight Manual) "The nacelle strakes improve wing aerodynamic efficiency and the fuselage strakes reduce cruise drag. Cruise performance is therefore improved."

[Nate Burrows]

For those of you interested www.airshowtime.com will be webcasting the show live.

[Glyn]

Thank you, RareBear and Brad.
Unusual (to me) to see them on engines.

[Mark Nankivil]

The thrust line of the engines is higher up than on most nacelle equipped airliners (as well as being mounted closer to the wing) and consequently have a greater impact on the wing's aerodynamics at higher angles of attack. The 737-300 and later series of that aircraft have much the same issues and have vortex generators on their nacelles as well. Check out:

http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/ae ... 0255.shtml

http://old.smartcockpit.com/operations/ ... rators.PDF

HTH! Mark

[Glyn]

The thrust line of the engines is higher up than on most nacelle equipped airliners (as well as being mounted closer to the wing) and consequently have a greater impact on the wing's aerodynamics at higher angles of attack. The 737-300 and later series of that aircraft have much the same issues and have vortex generators on their nacelles as well. Check out:

http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/ae ... 0255.shtml

http://old.smartcockpit.com/operations/ ... rators.PDF

HTH! Mark

Good links Mark! I thought I knew about vortex generators, but was unaware they were in such widespread use on engines. Quite surprised and impressed at the amount of benefit they offer.

[bdk]

They are Nacelle Aerodynamic Strakes. Yes, they control the airflow at high angles of attack.