Flight measured downwash of the QSRA

Several reports have been written on the performance of the Quiet Short-Haul Research Aircraft, which shows the advantages of upper-surface blowing or the propulsive-lift wing as it applies to lift, maneuverability, and short takeoff and landing. This high lift generation at low speeds results in substantial downwash, especially in the low-aft fuselage tail position. The high T-tail of the Quiet Short-Haul Research Aircraft minimizes the undesirable downwash effects from the propulsive-lift wing. Queries from Department of Defense agencies and industry for quantitative values prompted a series of flight-measured downwash tests at the high T-tail and the low aft fuselage position. The results are presented in a summarized format, showing downwash, Delta epsilon/Delta a, for both locations. As would be expected, downwash increases for increased power and USB flap settings. The downwash is greater in the low aft-fuselage position as compared to the high T-tail area.