Cross-flow effects on the boundary layer in a plane of symmetry

The validity of 'effective cone analysis' in estimating the boundary-layer properties of bodies in hypersonic flow is discussed. Simple formulas are derived for noncircular cones at angles of attack and are used to show that effective cone analysis only accounts for the increase in the local edge Reynolds number due to the angle of attack. A correction factor depending on the cross flow produced by the transverse curvature of the body and on the angle of attack is shown to reconcile the effective cone approach with the predictions of exact theory.