A Student’s Aerodynamics Research: Studying Airfoil Performance with NASA FoilSim

Delhi: Om Kumar, a student of KCC Institute of Technology and Management, conducted an in-depth study on the effect of airfoil geometry and angle of attack on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) during his Winter Internship project using NASA FoilSim Drone Technology.

Om explained that choosing the right airfoil profile is very important in UAV design, as it directly affects the lift-to-drag ratio and overall flight efficiency.

For this project, Om selected three different airfoil profiles – Cambered, Symmetric, and Flat Plate – to understand how changes in chord-line curvature and inclination impact lift and drag. He carried out this study in NASA FoilSim’s interactive simulation environment, which helps visualize and calculate airflow, pressure distribution, and aerodynamic forces. Om mentioned that such simulations allow students to practically understand concepts without building a physical UAV.

Following his methodology, Om varied the Angle of Attack (AoA) at 0°, 5°, 10°, and 15°, recording lift and drag values for each configuration. His results showed that the Cambered airfoil generated the highest lift, even at 0° AoA, while Symmetric and Flat Plate airfoils did not produce lift at 0°. As the Angle of Attack increased, lift also increased, along with drag.

Om further explained that the Cambered airfoil can produce lift at 0° AoA due to the pressure difference between its upper and lower surfaces, while the Symmetric airfoil always requires a positive AoA to generate lift. Based on these findings, he suggested that Cambered airfoils are ideal for Fixed-Wing UAVs and Gliders, whereas Symmetric airfoils are suitable for Racing Drone propellers.

In conclusion, Om highlighted that airfoil geometry has a significant impact on UAV and aircraft efficiency. Cambered airfoils provide maximum lift but also higher drag, while Symmetric airfoils need an increased AoA to generate lift. This research demonstrates that with the right use of AI tools and simulation platforms like NASA FoilSim, students can draw meaningful scientific insights using simple tools.