ABCD-FE-01-00 Flight Envelope - V1 08.03.16
ABCD-FE-01-00 Flight Envelope - V1 08.03.16
ABCD-FE-01-00 Flight Envelope - V1 08.03.16
Document reference:
FLIGHT ENVELOPE
(Example document for LSA applicants – v1 of 08.03.16)
Approval data
Prepared by Verified by Approved by
Name, sign.
Record of Revision
0 Initial issue
The boundaries of the flight envelope will be defined within this document. All speeds are calibrated airspeeds
(CAS) (requirement 4.4 [1]) and given in knots if not stated otherwise.
The weights are given in mass units (kg) but the formulas require force units as input, therefore these are calculated
in place wherever they are used.
Note: The speeds defined within this document should be used for the placards, speed markings, aeroplane flight
manual (limitations), load calculations and need to be verified by flight test.
NOTICE
This document is to provide an example of a flight envelope definition document for an aircraft type certificate application in
accordance with CS-LSA. The document can be used even if the applicant does not own a DOA. It does not substitute, in any
of its parts, the prescriptions of Part-21 and its amendments.
This document is intended to assist applicants in applying for an LSA RTC/TC and therefore demonstrating compliance of the
design to the requirements.
The document should not be read as a template and it should not be used as a form to fill. The content shall be checked for
appropriateness and changed accordingly by the applicant.
The required information can be presented entirely in this document, or in additional documents appropriately identified and
referred to.
Comments and notes to the user are provided throughout the document with “blue highlighted and italic text”.
IMPORTANT: All the statements and/or conclusions provided in this guideline can be considered realistic and
have a reasonable technical basis but the designer is solely responsible of each of the statements that he/she
will provide
Document reference:
Contents
0. Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 2
1. References ........................................................................................................................................................... 4
2. List of Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................................ 4
3. Requirements ...................................................................................................................................................... 5
4. Design Airspeeds ................................................................................................................................................. 6
4.1 Maximum speed in level flight VH ................................................................................................................ 6
4.2 Stall speeds VS, VS0, VS1................................................................................................................................. 6
4.3 Design manoeuvring speed VA ..................................................................................................................... 7
4.4 Flaps maximum operating speed VF ............................................................................................................ 8
4.5 Flaps maximum extension speed VFE ........................................................................................................... 8
4.6 Design cruising speed VC .............................................................................................................................. 8
4.7 Design dive speed VD ................................................................................................................................... 8
4.8 Demonstrated dive speed VDF...................................................................................................................... 8
4.9 Never exceed speed VNE .............................................................................................................................. 9
5. Altitude ................................................................................................................................................................ 9
6. Manoeuvring and Gust load factors n ................................................................................................................. 9
6.1 Gust envelope ............................................................................................................................................ 10
7. V-n Envelope...................................................................................................................................................... 11
8. Compliance statements ..................................................................................................................................... 12
2. List of Abbreviations
FL100 flight level 100
CG centre of gravity
MSL mean sea level
𝑑𝑐
a lift-curve slope of the aeroplane = 𝑑𝛼𝐿 [1/rad]
cL maximum lift coefficient taken from corresponding charts []
cL_max maximum lift coefficient of the clean wing []
cL_flaps_max maximum lift coefficient of the wing with flaps extended []
cL_flaps maximum lift coefficient of the flaps wing section with flaps extended []
g gravity acceleration equals 9.81 m/s2 [m/s2]
Re Reynolds number []
S wing area [m2]
SW wetted wing area (see [2]) [m2]
𝑘𝑔
ρ air density at a certain altitude, see [3] [𝑚2]
𝑘𝑔
ρ0 air density at sea level , see [3] [ 2]
𝑚
VA design manoeuvring speed [kts]
VC design cruising speed [kts]
VD design dive speed [kts]
VF flaps maximum operating speed [kts]
VFE flaps maximum extension speed [kts]
VH maximum speed in level flight [kts]
VLO maximum landing gear operating speed [kts]
VNE never exceed speed [kts]
VS stall speed in landing configuration (flaps extended) [kts]
VS1 stall speed in clean configuration (flaps retracted) [kts]
𝑊𝑀𝑇𝑂𝑊 aeroplane maximum take-off weight according to CS-LSA.5 [4] [kg]
𝑊𝑚𝑖𝑛 aeroplane minimum flying weight [kg]
𝑊𝑚𝑖𝑛𝐹𝐹 aeroplane minimum flying weight with full fuel [kg]
Document reference:
3. Requirements
This document covers the following certification specifications requirements:
Requirement
CS-LSA.15, 29th July Referenced
Subject of requirement
2013 amendment 1 chapter
(ASTM F2245-12d)
4.1.1 Each of the following requirements shall be met at the most critical 4, 5, 6
weight and CG configuration. Unless otherwise specified, the speed
range from stall to VDF or the maximum allowable speed for the
configuration being investigated shall be considered.
4.1.1.2 VNE must be less than or equal to 0.9VDF and greater than or equal to 4.9
1.1VC. In addition, VNE must be greater than or equal to VH.
4.4 Performance, General – All performance requirements apply in 0
standard ICAO atmosphere in still air conditions and at sea level. Speeds
shall be given in indicated (IAS) and calibrated (CAS) airspeeds.
5.2.3 Flight Envelope – Compliance shall be shown at any combination of Figure 1
airspeed and load factor on the boundaries of the flight envelope. The
flight envelope represents the envelope of the flight loading conditions
specified by the criteria of 5.2.4 and 5.2.5 (see Fig. 1).
5.2.3.2 Maneuvering Envelope – Except where limited by maximum (static) lift 6
coefficients, the airplane is assumed to be subjected to symmetrical
maneuvers resulting in the following limit load factors:
(1) the positive maneuvering load factor specified in 5.2.5.1 at speeds
up to VD; and
(2) the negative maneuvering load factor specified in 5.2.5.2 at speeds
up to VD.
5.2.3.3 Gust Envelope – The airplane is assumed to be subjected to symmetrical 0
vertical gusts in level flight. The resulting limit load factors must
correspond to the conditions determined as follows:
(1) positive (up) and negative (down) gusts of 15 m/s (49.2 ft/s) at VC;
and
(2) positive and negative gusts of 7.5 m/s (24.6 ft/s) at VD (see Fig. 1).
5.2.4 Design Airspeeds: –
5.2.4.1 Design Maneuvering Speed, VA: 4.3
where:
VS = computed stalling speed at the design maximum weight with the
flaps retracted, and
n1 = positive limit maneuvering load factor used in design.
5.2.4.2 Design Flap Speed, VF – For each landing setting, VF must not be less 0
than the greater of:
(1) 1.4 VS, where VS is the computed stalling speed with the wing flaps
retracted at the maximum weight; and
(2) 2.0 VSO, where VSO is the computed stalling speed with wing flaps
fully extended at the maximum weight.
5.2.4.3 Design Cruising Speed, VC – 4.6
(1) VC in knots may not be less than 4.77 x √(W/S); and
(2) VC need not be greater than 0.9 VH at sea level.
Table 1 – Requirements
4. Design Airspeeds
This chapter defines the operating and design airspeeds as required for certification [1].
𝑉𝐻 = 130 𝑘𝑡𝑠
In order to calculate the stall speed, the maximum lift coefficient of the aeroplane as a whole is determined first.
The maximum lift coefficient of the aeroplane has been calculated starting from the polar curve of the wing profile
taken form ref. [6] (p. 236, Re=2.9E6 flaps retracted 𝑐𝐿 _𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑒_𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 1.35 and p.237, 𝛿𝑓 = 40 𝑑𝑒𝑔 for the flaps in
landing configuration𝑐𝐿 _𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑒_𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑑_𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 2.15, and 𝛿𝑓 = 10 𝑑𝑒𝑔 in take-off
configuration𝑐𝐿 _𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑒_𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑑_𝑡𝑜 = 1.70).
Considering the horizontal tail balancing force and the lower total wing lift due to wing lift distribution, the total
aeroplane lift coefficient has been lowered by 15% with respect to the one of the profile.
Document reference:
Therefore aeroplane lift coefficient is estimated to 𝑐𝐿_𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑛 _𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.85 ∗ 1.35 = 1.15
and for the landing configuration (since the span extension of the flaps is half of the span of the wing):
𝑐𝐿 _𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑒_𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑑_𝑚𝑎𝑥 + 𝑐𝐿_𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑒_𝑚𝑎𝑥 2.15 + 1.35
𝑐𝐿_𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑝𝑠_𝑚𝑎𝑥 = ∗ 0.85 = ∗ 0.85 = 1.49
2 2
Stall speeds have been calculated based on these calculated lift coefficients.
The wetted wing area SW is used instead of total wing area S because of a lower lift within the fuselage section of
the span.
The stall speed in landing configuration (flaps fully extended to 40 degrees) is 44 kts. Therefore it is In accordance
with CS-LSA.5 [4].
(Note: These speeds are estimates. The methods for the estimation can be various. It is important that these
estimations are as precise as possible. Flight tests will be used to validate the stall speeds. In case the flight tests
show different values, this might have an impact on the speeds used for design and ultimately might impair the
compliance to the CS-LSA.5.)
This is the maximum flap operating speed for the take-off (at 20 degrees) and landing flap settings at 40 degrees.
𝑉𝐹𝐸 = 𝑉𝐹 = 90 𝑘𝑡𝑠
This speed is the maximum speed for flaps in take-off and landing configuration.
𝑊𝑀𝑇𝑂𝑀 600∗9.81
𝑉𝐶 may not be less than: 𝑉𝐶𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 4.77√ 𝑆
= 4.77 √ 15.1
= 94 𝑘𝑡𝑠
and need not be greater than: 𝑉𝐶𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.9 𝑉𝐻 = 0.9 ∗ 140 = 126 𝑘𝑡𝑠
𝑉𝐶 = 120 𝑘𝑡𝑠
(Note: 𝑉𝐶 and VDF ,VD ,VNE correlate with each other. 𝑉𝐶 should be selected to allow for a minimum margin of 22%
to VDF in order to be able to satisfy the requirements for the next subchapters.)
For 𝑉𝐷 a higher value than the one above has been chosen:
𝑉𝐷 = 160 𝑘𝑡𝑠
(Note: ASTM F2245-12d 5.2.4.4 [1] requires an exact value for the dive speed. Indeed, such value should be
understood as a minimum value. This will be clarified in the next amendment of the CS-LSA.)
Document reference:
(Note: In case the demonstrated VDF is lower than VD then VNE needs to be limited accordingly which could have an
impact on the selection of VC as well.)
must be less than or equal to: 0.9 𝑉𝐷𝐹 = 0.9 ∗ 160 = 144 𝑘𝑡𝑠
Note: If the aircraft is equipped with retractable landing gear then VLO must be determined as well (CS-LSA.15 6.12.2).
5. Altitude
The maximum permissible operational altitude is 13000ft. Despite the CS-LSA requirements do not require to
accounts for the effects of altitude, such effects have been considered up to 10000 ft. In fact the gust load factor
have been calculated at such altitude. This is considered acceptable since it covers the operational range within
which the aeroplane will fly most of the time.
(Note: the CS-LSA requirement does not require to account for the effects of altitude. Calculating the loads at sea
level would be acceptable. In this case, the choice to consider such effect up to 10000 ft is a decision of a designer,
which would be accepted by the team.)
Since gust loads depend on air density and aircraft mass they will be calculated for all twelve cases (sea level and
10000ft=FL100, maximum, minimum flying weight and minimum flying weight with full wing fuel tanks) according
to requirement 5.2.3.3 [1] with flaps retracted (requirement 5.2.6.1 [1]) and fully extended (requirement 5.2.6.2
[1]) at 𝑉𝐹 .
The calculation is based on appendix X3 [1]. To calculate the gust loads at altitudes other than at sea level the
formula X3.1 [1] is altered to include the density at sea level 𝜌0 as well:
1
𝜌0 𝑉 𝐾𝑔 𝑎 𝑈𝑑𝑒
𝑛3/4 =1±2 𝑤
(𝑠)
Since the gust loads on the wing and tail have been chosen to be treated together, 𝑎 is the slope of the lift-curve of
𝑑𝑐𝐿 1
the aeroplane (( ) = 4.77 ).
𝛼 𝑎𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑑
(Note: the applicant should provide the method for the calculation of the slope of the lift-curve of the aeroplane)
weight [N]
[kg/m^3]
altitude
Aircraft
Aircraft
density
V [kts]
speed
[m/s]
U_de
load
K_g
u_g
𝒏𝟑
𝒏𝟒
120 WMTOW 5886 MSL 1.225 0.570 9.72 15 4.84 -2.84
120 Wmin,fwd 4679 MSL 1.225 0.522 7.73 15 5.54 -3.54
120 Wmin,aft 4395 MSL 1.225 0.509 7.26 15 5.71 -3.71
120 WminFF 5052 MSL 1.225 0.538 8.34 15 5.33 -3.33
𝑉𝐶
120 WMTOW 5886 FL100 0.9 0.628 13.23 15 5.24 -3.24
120 Wmin,fwd 4679 FL100 0.9 0.585 10.52 15 6.11 -4.11
120 Wmin,aft 4395 FL100 0.9 0.573 9.88 15 6.33 -4.33
120 WminFF 5052 FL100 0.9 0.600 11.36 15 5.84 -3.84
160 WMTOW 5886 MSL 1.225 0.570 9.72 7.5 3.56 -1.56
160 Wmin,fwd 4679 MSL 1.225 0.522 7.73 7.5 4.03 -2.03
160 Wmin,aft 4395 MSL 1.225 0.509 7.26 7.5 4.14 -2.14
𝑉𝐷 160 WminFF 5052 MSL 1.225 0.538 8.34 7.5 3.89 -1.89
160 WMTOW 5886 FL100 0.9 0.628 13.23 7.5 3.82 -1.82
160 Wmin,fwd 4679 FL100 0.9 0.585 10.52 7.5 4.41 -2.41
160 Wmin,aft 4395 FL100 0.9 0.573 9.88 7.5 4.55 -2.55
Document reference:
weight [N]
[kg/m^3]
altitude
Aircraft
Aircraft
density
V [kts]
speed
[m/s]
U_de
load
K_g
u_g
𝒏𝟑
𝒏𝟒
160 WminFF 5052 FL100 0.9 0.600 11.36 7.5 4.23 -2.23
90 WMTOW 5886 MSL 1.225 0.570 9.72 7.5 2.44 -0.44
90 Wmin,fwd 4679 MSL 1.225 0.522 7.73 7.5 2.70 -0.70
90 Wmin,aft 4395 MSL 1.225 0.509 7.26 7.5 2.77 -0.77
90 WminFF 5052 MSL 1.225 0.538 8.34 7.5 2.62 -0.62
𝑉𝐹
90 WMTOW 5886 FL100 0.9 0.628 13.23 7.5 2.59 -0.59
90 Wmin,fwd 4679 FL100 0.9 0.585 10.52 7.5 2.92 -0.92
90 Wmin,aft 4395 FL100 0.9 0.573 9.88 7.5 3.00 -1.00
90 WminFF 5052 FL100 0.9 0.600 11.36 7.5 2.82 -0.82
7. V-n Envelope
Below a typical flight envelope is shown. This specific one is corresponding to MTOW and FL100. For other design
weights the shape of the envelope remains similar, with the difference that the gust lines will change (due to
different load factors as per Table 3).
3
load factor []
2 clean
1 pos. gust
0
VG VA VC VD neg. gust
VF
0 50 100 150 200 flaps
-1
-2
-3
-4
Airspeed [KEAS]
Requirement
Subject
reference
CS-LSA 4.1.1 Each of the following requirements shall be met at the most critical weight and CG
F2245-12d configuration. Unless otherwise specified, the speed range from stall to VDF or the maximum
4.1.1 allowable speed for the configuration being investigated shall be considered.
Statement of The requirement has been met. This is shown in chapters 4, 5 and 6.
compliance
Requirement
Subject
reference
CS-LSA 4.1.1.2 VNE must be less than or equal to 0.9VDF and greater than or equal to 1.1 VC. In addition,
F2245-12d VNE must be greater than or equal to VH.
4.1.1.2
Statement of The requirement has been met. This is shown in chapter 4.9.
compliance
Requirement
Subject
reference
CS-LSA 4.4 Performance, General – All performance requirements apply in standard ICAO atmosphere
F2245-12d in still air conditions and at sea level. Speeds shall be given in indicated (IAS) and calibrated (CAS)
4.4 airspeeds.
Statement of The requirement has been met. This is shown in chapter 0.
compliance
Requirement
Subject
reference
CS-LSA 5.2.3 Flight Envelope – Compliance shall be shown at any combination of airspeed and load
F2245-12d factor on the boundaries of the flight envelope. The flight envelope represents the envelope of
5.2.3 the flight loading conditions specified by the criteria of 5.2.4 and 5.2.5 (see Fig. 1).
Statement of The requirement has been met. This is shown in Figure 1
compliance
Requirement
Subject
reference
CS-LSA Maneuvering Envelope – Except where limited by maximum (static) lift coefficients, the airplane
F2245-12d is assumed to be subjected to symmetrical maneuvers resulting in the following limit load
5.2.3.2 factors:
(1) the positive maneuvering load factor specified in 5.2.5.1 at speeds up to VD; and
(2) the negative maneuvering load factor specified in 5.2.5.2 at speeds up to VD.
Statement of The requirement has been met. This is shown in chapter 6.
compliance
Document reference:
Requirement
Subject
reference
CS-LSA Gust Envelope – The airplane is assumed to be subjected to symmetrical vertical gusts in level
F2245-12d flight. The resulting limit load factors must correspond to the conditions determined as follows:
5.2.3.3 (1) positive (up) and negative (down) gusts of 15 m/s (49.2 ft/s) at VC; and
(2) positive and negative gusts of 7.5 m/s (24.6 ft/s) at VD (see Fig. 1).
Statement of The requirement has been met. Gust loads have been determined for all critical weights. Also
compliance effects of altitudes up to FL100 have been considered. See chapter 0.
Requirement
Subject
reference
CS-LSA 5.2.4.1 Design Maneuvering Speed, VA:
F2245-12d where: VS = computed stalling speed at the design maximum weight with the flaps retracted, and
5.2.4.1 n1 = positive limit maneuvering load factor used in design.
Statement of The requirement has been met. This is shown in chapter 4.3.
compliance
Requirement
Subject
reference
CS-LSA 5.2.4.2 Design Flap Speed, VF – For each landing setting, VF must not be less than the greater of:
F2245-12d (1) 1.4 VS, where VS is the computed stalling speed with the wing flaps retracted at the
5.2.4.2 maximum weight; and
(2) 2.0 VSO, where VSO is the computed stalling speed with wing flaps fully extended at the
maximum weight.
Statement of The requirement has been met. This is shown in chapter 0.
compliance
Requirement
Subject
reference
CS-LSA 5.2.4.3 Design Cruising Speed, VC –
F2245-12d (1) VC in knots may not be less than 4.77 x √(W/S); and
5.2.4.3 (2) VC need not be greater than 0.9 VH at sea level.
Statement of The requirement has been met. This is shown in chapter 4.6.
compliance
Requirement
Subject
reference
CS-LSA 5.2.4.4 Design Dive Speed, VD:
F2245-12d VD = 1.4 x VC min where: VC min = required minimum cruising speed.
5.2.4.4
Statement of The requirement has been met. This is shown in chapter 4.7.
compliance
Requirement
Subject
reference
CS-LSA 5.2.5.2 The negative limit maneuvering load factor n2 may not be greater than −2.0.
F2245-12d
5.2.5.2
Statement of The requirement has been met. This is shown in chapter 6.
compliance
Requirement
Subject
reference
CS-LSA F2245- 5.2.5.3 Loads with wing flaps extended:
12d (1) if flaps or other similar high lift devices are used, the airplane must be designed for n1 = 2.0
5.2.5.3 with the flaps in any position up to VF; and
(2) n2 = 0.
Statement of The requirement has been met. This is shown in chapter 6.
compliance
Requirement
Subject
reference
CS-LSA Gust Load Factors – The airplane must be designed for the loads resulting from:
F2245-12d The gust velocities specified in 5.2.3.3 with flaps retracted, and
5.2.6 Positive and negative gusts of 7.5 m/s (24.6 ft/s) nominal intensity at VF with the flaps fully
5.2.6.1 extended.
5.2.6.2 NOTE 4 – In the absence of a more rational analysis, the gust load factors may be computed by
the method of Appendix X3.
Statement of The requirement has been met. This is shown in chapter 0.
compliance