360° PSP measurements in transonic flow

Integrated surface pressure distribution measurements using the PSP technique on a three-dimensional aircraft model with a number of various flaps, rudders and ailerons were performed at angles of attack between -4° to 36°, angles of sideslip between -13° to 13° for Mach numbers from 0.6 to 0.95. In such cases, if the pressure distribution around the model is determined, forces and moments can be calculated. In addition comparisons with conventional balance techniques are possible. The main challenge to get good PSP results on one hand is the arrangement of hardware, components of model illumination and camera observation - especially in the handling of eight simultaneously operating CCD cameras. On the other hand the software should be able to handle in a short time all the necessary synchronization between the PSP-system and wind tunnel, all PSP images, correction of lens errors, model deformation etc.. This paper describes how these problems are solved. A large number of results were mainly obtained on the AerMacchi M346 trainer aircraft model in May 2000 in the DNW-HST at Amsterdam