Gap, Stagger, and Offset in Distributed Lift Aircraft

The parameters of gap, stagger and offset in distributed lift aircraft were investigated using computational fluid dynamics. A total of 54 simulations were run to compare aircraft configurations with the same wing area, but different gap, stagger and offset. Between the highest and lowest aerodynamic efficiency trials, the results showed a difference of 0.48 in aerodynamic efficiency, 0.15 in lift coefficient, and 0.02 in drag coefficient. Negative offsets had lower aerodynamic efficiency, but overall, the combined effect of gap, stagger, and offset appears nonlinear.