Flight Performance

This module contains metrics defining the aircraft's flight envelope and mission performance.

V-Speeds

Parameter	Unit	Description
stall_speed	m/s	Minimum speed where weight can be supported (at CL_max).
cruise_speed	m/s	Efficient cruise speed (typically around L/D max).
max_speed	m/s	Maximum level flight speed where engine power overcomes drag.

Cruise Performance

Expected values at cruise speed (cruise_speed):

Parameter	Unit	Description
power_required	W	Engine/propeller output power required for cruise.
current_draw	A	Current drawn from the battery.
endurance_hours	hours	Total time aloft.
range_km	km	Total flight range.

Performance Curves

Power and thrust requirements calculated for various flight speeds are presented as arrays under the curves object. These data are used to plot "Power Required vs Speed" graphs.

Parameter	Unit	Description
velocities	m/s	Array of velocities (X-axis).
power_required	W	Power required at each velocity step (Y-axis).
power_available	W	Maximum power available at each velocity step.
thrust_required	N	Thrust required (equal to Drag) at each velocity step.
thrust_available	N	Maximum thrust available at each velocity step.

Example Configuration

flight:
  stall_speed: 12.0
  cruise_speed: 18.0
  max_speed: 32.0
  max_climb_rate: 6.5
  cruise_performance:
    power_required: 145
    current_draw: 6.5
    endurance_hours: 1.8
    range_km: 110
  curves:
    velocities: [10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 25, 30]
    power_required: [200, 160, 140, 135, 145, 170, 250, 400]
    power_available: [600, 580, 560, 540, 520, 500, 450, 400]
    thrust_required: [15, 11, 9, 8, 8, 9, 12, 18]
    thrust_available: [40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 18, 15, 10]