Wind Tunnel Testing Productivity at KARI LSWT

Productivity enhancement program of wind tunnel testing has begun at Korea Aerospace Research Institute Low Speed Wind Tunnel (KARI LSWT). A previous test record of a canard airplane model was adopted to examine the current status of wind tunnel testing efficiency. The time consumed to perform testing activities from the model preparation to data collection was broken down and the results were compared with those of the recent Boeing low speed test result. The efforts to improve the wind tunnel productivity consisted of the installation of mini crane underneath of test section, fabricating lift device for image fairings, model configuration changing rigs and the modifications of external balance system. Time reductions for changing strut interface platform and installation of image fairings. These effects showed more than 70% improvement over the previous test time. Integration of the new and modified systems will improve productivity of wind tunnel testing in KARI LSWT.