gschuld
Well-Known Member
From Raymer's Simplified Aircraft Design for Homebuilders:
"A key concern for the front of the aircraft is the overnose vision angle. On your layout, draw a line from the pilot's eye forward, at a downward angle just touching the top of the cowling or whatever else prevents you from seeing further down. Try to give yourself at least a 10 degree overnose vision angle - Formula One racers require 15 degrees overnose vision. Most fighters have a 15-degree overnose vision angle and most transports have about 20 degrees."
Unless I am misunderstanding the defintion of overnose vision angle, I can't see how any of the formula 1 racers could comply with a 15 degree vision angle restriction if it exists. Picture of "Invictus" below:
I have been looking around at sleeker experimental two place side by sides(Lancairs, glasairs, etc), and I can't picture any of them making 10 degrees.
The "worst" case I have noticed is the Nemesis NXT below. The vision angle couldn't be more than 2-3 degrees. Granted this plane certainly would not be considered an everyday flyer.
Reducing frontal and overall whetted area, nevermind the improved asthetic appeal(sleeker), inspires me to keep the canopy as low as realistically feasible. This, of course, has a direct relationship with overnose vision angle. Especially with taildragger designs(my interest), ground handling visibility becomes a real concern. There have been growing interest in forward facing video "taxi cameras" (Jon Sharp's Nemesis NXT has one on his right side landing gear hooked up to a small lcd screen on his dash, been there for years)
For the rest of us, what is considered a reasonable overnose vision angle for small, sleek, side by side taildragger?
George
"A key concern for the front of the aircraft is the overnose vision angle. On your layout, draw a line from the pilot's eye forward, at a downward angle just touching the top of the cowling or whatever else prevents you from seeing further down. Try to give yourself at least a 10 degree overnose vision angle - Formula One racers require 15 degrees overnose vision. Most fighters have a 15-degree overnose vision angle and most transports have about 20 degrees."
Unless I am misunderstanding the defintion of overnose vision angle, I can't see how any of the formula 1 racers could comply with a 15 degree vision angle restriction if it exists. Picture of "Invictus" below:
I have been looking around at sleeker experimental two place side by sides(Lancairs, glasairs, etc), and I can't picture any of them making 10 degrees.
The "worst" case I have noticed is the Nemesis NXT below. The vision angle couldn't be more than 2-3 degrees. Granted this plane certainly would not be considered an everyday flyer.
Reducing frontal and overall whetted area, nevermind the improved asthetic appeal(sleeker), inspires me to keep the canopy as low as realistically feasible. This, of course, has a direct relationship with overnose vision angle. Especially with taildragger designs(my interest), ground handling visibility becomes a real concern. There have been growing interest in forward facing video "taxi cameras" (Jon Sharp's Nemesis NXT has one on his right side landing gear hooked up to a small lcd screen on his dash, been there for years)
For the rest of us, what is considered a reasonable overnose vision angle for small, sleek, side by side taildragger?
George
