Estimation of wing flutter speeds from the curves of R. & M. 1869

Abstract

Normal classical theory is somewhat complicated for design use, and this report describes a simple method for the use. of designers : briefly, this is to estimate a straight-tapered wing equivalent to the'wing under consideration, and to apply the results of R. & M. 1869 to determine its flutter characteristics. A graph is given, in which flutter speeds calculated by the classical theory for a number of typical aeroplane wings, are plotted against the speeds found by the use of the curves given in R. & M. 1869. The method strictly applies only to plain cantilever wings, but would probably give conservative results for wings with wing engines.