Question

Which of the following is correct?

(a) Base drag is affected by boat tailing

(b) Base drag is not affected by boat tailing

(c) Wing area is always same for every mission

(d) Fuselage should be circular in shape always

I had been asked this question in homework.

My query is from Configuration Layout in section Configuration Layout Considerations of Aircraft Design

Answer 1

Right option is (a) Base drag is affected by boat tailing

For explanation: Tapering of the base area or aft fuselage section is called boat tailing. Boat tailing will affect base area. As a result of which pressure distribution is affected as well. Hence, as a pressure distribution varies drag due to base area will also change.