Twin-fuselage aircraft: pro et contra

Аuthors

Vasiliev V. V.¹, Lazarev V. V.^2*

1. Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University), 4, Volokolamskoe shosse, Moscow, А-80, GSP-3, 125993, Russia
2. Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute named after N.E. Zhukovsky (TsAGI), 1, Zhukovsky str., Zhukovsky, Moscow Region, 140180, Russia

*e-mail: vvlazar@rambler.ru

Abstract

The article analyzes virtues and shortcomings of the twin-fuselage aircraft configuration as applied to a passenger and cargo aircraft. It notes specifics of aerodynamic and weight perfection of the twin-fuselage aircraft. The peculiarities of aerodynamics and weight perfection of the twin-fuselage aircraft are noted. The article also reveals the differences between twin-fuselage aircraft configuration and the aircraft of traditional schemes. The main ones are the as follows.

The aircraft increase of the moment of inertia relative to the longitudinal axis complicates the compliance with the Part 25 airworthiness for recovering the aircraft from a turn with the tilt of 30° and entering it into a turn of the opposite direction with the tilt of 30° within no more than 7 seconds.

The emergence of specific natural modes of aircraft oscillations with the rotation of the fuselages in pitch plane with opposite phase.

The advantages of unswept central part of the wing are asserted. Attention is drawn to the increase of the aircraft pivoting radius on the ground and the complication of aircraft control when the pilot’s line of vision is shifted from the axis of the runway.

As twin-fuselage aircraft configuration has no advantages over traditional aircraft configuration, its use is advisable only for solution of specific problems. For example, developing a passenger aircraft with a passenger capacity exceeding 500 seats, or a multifunctional heavy transport aircraft for the cargo placing in two fuselages, as well as a hard cargo on the external sling between the fuselages.

Existence of the fuselage of certified donor aircraft will provide technical and economic efficiency of the twin-fuselage aircraft.

Keywords:

aircraft layout diagram, double-deck fuselage, twin-fuselage aircraft configuration, airplane controllability, natural oscillations waveforms and frequencies, aircraft pivoting on the ground, technical perfection

References

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