Del modelo digital al túnel de viento: análisis experimental de una aeronave de ala fija

Abstract

This article presents the results of the student research project titled “Analysis of lift, drag, and thrust of a small, fixed wing unmanned aerial vehicle in the wind tunnel of the University of Costa Rica”, registered with the Vice-Rectory for Research and Outreach of the Costa Rica Institute of Technology. The research focused on a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed in Costa Rica, with the objective of comparing theoretical results—obtained through computer simulations—with experimental data measured in a wind tunnel. To achieve this, a scaled model was fabricated using 3D printing and tested to analyze three key aerodynamic forces: lift, drag, and thrust. This comparison allowed for performance validation of the UAV prior to constructing it at full scale. Additionally, various propeller configurations were evaluated, and it was found that three-blade propellers delivered better performance. The study represents a pioneering step in the experimental validation of drones in Costa Rica and highlights the value of wind tunnel testing to optimize their design and performance.