Assessment of tabular models using CFD

Tabular aerodynamic models are frequently used for computational flight simulation. It is necessary to understand the limitations of such models to ensure adequacy for the relevant manoeuvres. The assessment is carried out for an aerofoil with a trailing edge flap for both forced and free–response manoeuvres. The limitations of the tabular model are then assessed through a comparison of loads or trajectories against a time–accurate computational fluid dynamics solution. A number of manoeuvres are used covering both linear and nonlinear aerodynamic regimes. It is seen that the assumptions in the tabular model are adequate except for neglecting history effects for certain regimes where nonlinearities are significant