Analysis and Testing of Aerobatic Turboprop Aircraft Inlet

Aerobatic aircraft have become popular for the training of military pilots, and nowadays an increasing number of such airframes are being developed. Modern turboprop engines provide high performance allowing the pilots to get similar handling characteristics to military jet aircraft engines. Prior to the availability of high performance turboprops, the basic pilot training was conducted using jet aircraft. Furthermore, the introduction of electronic control systems on last-generation turboprop engines enables single lever control, making it an ideal candidate for this type of aerobatic and training airframes. This new type of engine operation is however accompanied by several challenges from the point of view of the engine design and installation aerodynamics. GEAC has gone through a complex design process, in cooperation with the airframer, to validate the design of a new aerobatic aircraft inlet in the context of developing an aerobatic version of the H80 engine. In order to ensure a) surge-free operation, b) optimal engine performance and c) effective ice/FOD separation in inclement weather conditions and during any kind of aerobatic maneuver, the team has done extensive CFD predictions of the flow behaviour, performance/operability studies and finally a ground test campaign. First, a back-to-back comparison of the aerobatic inlet geometry versus a reference commuter inlet geometry was conducted. Then, flight conditions were simulated in calm and crosswind environments. Distortion patterns were examined using in-house developed tools and the diverse sources of distortion were identified. One of the results is the introduction of geometry improvements to guarantee improved performance and extended engine operability range. Advanced propeller modeling techniques were introduced and benchmarked in order to have the most exact representation of the propeller aerodynamic effect on inlet flow. Finally, a test campaign was conducted for validation purposes. An exhaustive instrumentation, data acquisition system and detailed test program were developed to validate CFD methods and assumptions made during the design phase, and to raise our confidence in the flight conditions simulation results.