AAR's 40% scale Wind Tunnel is NOW available for commercial use.
The AAR wind tunnel has a 3x5 Moving
Ground Plane (rolling road) test section capable of air and ground
speeds of over 100mph. The wind tunnel utilizes a slotted wall test
section designed to allow testing of much larger models than is
possible in a similar sized conventional facility. A
purpose-designed 6 component force balance, designed and
manufactured Microcraft (supplier of similar components to NASA and
Boeing) is used to measure the forces produced by the 40% wind
tunnel models. The models, designed and built entirely by AAR,
precisely replicate external as well as internal details including
radiators, intake and exhaust flows, flowing brake ducts and wheel
uprights as well as engine and transmission surfaces. While
operating at a rate of two shifts per day, the information from the
wind tunnel is collected by the AAR designed data acquisition
system. This allows for maximum flexibility in data research.
The AAR aerodynamics department also has a tow
tank facility where1/8 scale models are towed through water. The
plexiglas tow tank allows for the video recording of tufts and dye
streams on or off the model. A high speed digital camera at speeds
up to 200 frames per second makes it possible to slow and stop the
flow around the models as well as save the data electronically.
This facility, along with technical support is commercially available. If
you would like information on using the wind tunnel then please e-mail us
at aarpr@aarinc.com
