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CG-Travel of Passenger Aircraft

Author: Nicolas Detalle

Project

Abstract

This project deals with the analysis of CG-travel (Center of Gravity travel) of passenger Aircraft. Knowledge has been gained through a literature research which has helped to understand the relations between the different parameters. On ground, the CG travels because of the boarding of passengers and the refueling process. Then the cabin layout and the geometry of fuel tanks have been particularly taken into account. Indeed the position of each passenger and the volume of fuel loaded strongly affect the CG position. The CG margins have a strong impact on the horizontal tailplane sizing. Rather than developing a separated tool, it has been chosen to include it in PreSTo (Preliminary Sizing Tool). It allows investigating the impact of different inputs on the CG-travel for short, middle and long range airliners with conventional configurations. By using empirical formulas and a minimal number of input data, the CG range, the CG margins and the load and trim sheet are given. These results are given with respect to the MAC (Mean Aerodynamic Chord). They are both accurate and easy to obtain. The computing has been made in a way to allow as many different study cases as possible. Human engineering has also been an important part of this project: it is not needed to have particular computing knowledge to use the software, which has been designed as user friendly as possible. Nevertheless it is to keep in mind that the tool is limited to single deck aircraft and only consider one level of comfort. At the end a comparison of results for two different cabin layouts has been carried out. The reference aircraft has been based on the Airbus A320. Its conventional cabin layout shows 6 seats abreast with only one aisle. Thanks to the tool an alternative design with 2 aisles has been evaluated. The results given for the conventional Airbus A320 have been compared to the real CG margins.