The low-speed pilot wind tunnel at NIA is a 1/15 scale model of NASA Langley’s 30-ft x 60-ft. full scale wind tunnel and was provided by NASA to enable the training of NIA graduate students in experimental aeronautics. This test facility also supports the work conducted within NIA’s Morpheus Laboratory, where unconventional unmanned aerial systems are designed and developed. These systems include both fixed wing and flapping wing aerial vehicles. The wind tunnel allows us to test these unconventional aircraft configurations to determine pressures, forces, and moments on the airframes to define stability and control characteristics. The size of the test section of the wind tunnel facilitates the installation and calibration of the model systems by the students. The top speed in the facility is approximately 120 miles per hour. Professor Colin Britcher from Old Dominion University and NIA’s Professor James Hubbard will instruct the students on the test installations and procedures.
Director: Dr. David Peake, Vice President, Commercial Aeronautics Programs
Contact: 757 325 6720 | djpeake@nianet.org