Paulistinha Design and Analysis

Paulistinha was the first airplane developed and constructed in industrial form in Brazil.It was inspired in the initial designs of the Taylor Cub in US, having however several differences, to accommodate local technological possibilities, mostly.It resulted from a semi-empirical approach, having suffered many changes during its long maturation life, from its start in Ipiranga, São Paulo in the 1930´s up to the end of its serial fabrication in Botucatu, in the late 1970´s.In this research starting, from the drawings of the airplane, a model of the structure is constructed.Wings and fuselage are compiled to detail, from local measures in a real airplane.A model is then developed in computer, from the drawings, to ascertain aerodynamic and structural characteristics.Finite element procedures are used in the analysis.Results show large safety values and therefore margins for improvements with the model.Its concept may be extended to new planes using alternative propulsion, construction materials and applications including the much required versatility of hydroplanes.