A system for analysis of transition characteristics on a high-lift configuration at high Reynolds numbers

Abstract

The characteristic features of a system developed for transition documentation in a high-lift flow-physics code validation experiment in the Low Turbulence Pressure Tunnel (LTPT) at NASA Langley Research Center are described. A three-element high-lift model of McDonnell-Douglas (MDA) design was used for the experiment, with Reynolds number ranging from 5 to 12 million based on the chord length. Roughly 100 different flow conditions were documented, through variation of rigging, angle of attack, Mach number and Reynolds number. More than 350 surface hot films were used to characterize transition regions.