Experimental and theoretical low-speed aerodynamic characteristics of a Wortmann airfoil as manufactured on a fiberglass sailplane

A low turbulence pressure tunnel evaluation is reported for low speed aerodynamic characteristics of the FX 66-17AII-182 airfoil as manufactured on a fiberglass sailplane. The results were compared with data for design coordinates obtained from another low turbulence wind tunnel and with theoretical calculations generated by a viscous flow airfoil computer program. The investigation was performed over a Reynolds number range, based on airfoil chord, of approximately 0.5 x 1 million to 6 million and a Mach number range of about 0.05 to 0.35. Comparison with data from another wind tunnel for the design coordinates showed slightly higher drag for the manufactured section.