RESEARCH PAPER
Aerodynamic performance of the XGyro fuselage–empennage airframe – a numerical and experimental investigation
1
Aeronautics Faculty, Polish Air Force University, Poland
A – Conceptualization; B – Methodology; C – Software; D – Validation; E – Formal analysis; F – Investigation; G – Resources; H – Data curation; I – Writing – original draft; J – Writing – review & editing; K – Visualization; L – Supervision; M – Project administration; N – Funding acquisition
Submission date: 2025-12-29
Final revision date: 2026-08-09
Acceptance date: 2026-09-30
Online publication date: 2026-10-07
Corresponding author
Zbigniew Czyż
Aeronautics Faculty, Polish Air Force University, Dywizjonu 303, 08-521, Dęblin, Poland
Aeronautics Faculty, Polish Air Force University, Dywizjonu 303, 08-521, Dęblin, Poland
KEYWORDS
AerodynamicsComputational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)Wind Tunnel TestingHybrid Aircraft
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
This paper presents the results of an aerodynamic investigation of the XGyro fuselage–empennage airframe. The main rotor was not included in the present study in order to isolate the aerodynamic behaviour of the airframe. A combined research methodology was applied, integrating computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations with experimental validation in a low-speed wind tunnel. Numerical analyses were performed using ANSYS Fluent with the k–ω SST turbulence model for a wide range of angles of attack and sideslip angles. Wind tunnel tests were conducted on a 3D-printed scaled model under corresponding flow conditions. Both approaches confirmed longitudinal static stability and predictable lateral - directional behavior of the analysed airframe. Within the investigated range, the minimum drag coefficient occurred at α≈0˚– 5˚, while the maximum CZ/CX ratio was obtained at β=0˚ and α=10˚. The results provide insight into the aerodynamic characteristics of the fuselage–empennage configuration and support further design and development of the overall XGyro concept.
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| eISSN: | 2956-3860 |
| ISSN: | 1507-2711 |
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