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Scaling formulae

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Jan Olieslagers

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 28, 2014
Messages
134
Location
Haacht, Belgium
Given a certain design, with known dimensions, weights (empty & max gross), engine power, and performance.

Now imagine I build that same plane with all dimensions half as large again, i.e. 150% lengthwise. What happens to the other parameters?

Empty weight should begin by going "times eight", but I should think a bit less due to "economies of scale". Wingsurface goes "times 4" making the MTOW going "times four" too?

Most important: what engine power will be required now? I should think it will be much different depending on the required speed: do I wish to keep that the same, or should it also go up by 50% ?

I tried googling this but came only at R/C sites that said one should go from a dot umpteen to a dot squarratarra engine which wasn't very clear to me...
 
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