Wind Tunnel Testing

Project Objective:

The purpose of this project was to observe how airflow behaves around an airfoil using a Wind Tunnel setup. By tracking the movement of dense smoke over different airfoils, we collected visual and quantitative data that would later help inform decisions for future projects like the Glider.

Design/Project Process:

In class, our teacher set up a Wind Tunnel system that passed fast-moving air through a turbine. A dense white smoke was used to visualize airflow as it passed over the airfoil placed inside the tunnel. Each group tested different airfoil types and recorded how the air responded—this included observing turbulence, lift, and drag effects. We then compared results between groups to understand which designs performed best.

What I Learned:

I learned how small design changes in an airfoil—like increasing the camber or changing the angle of attack—can affect airflow and lift generation. Seeing the airflow in real time helped make concepts like pressure differences and chord lines easier to understand. It also gave me a preview of how real engineers test models before building final prototypes.

Personal Reflection:

I found the visual aspect of this project really helpful, but I still feel like I need to better understand how the forces interact mathematically. It made me realize how complex aerodynamic testing can get, and I want to improve my ability to interpret the data these tests produce. This experience gave me a solid foundation, though, especially as we started working on our Glider Project.