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Download the ADS User’s Manual (222 pages) from the page Technical Reports.

ADS is available in 4 different packages

	ADS Light is intended for the pilot-builder who wants to design his own dream plane, for the student who is doing a design project for his research thesis, for the interested who want to understand the physics and principles of conceptual aircraft design, for the pilot who wants to find out about the flight and handling qualities of their aircraft, and for anyone interested in aircraft design. The algorithms are the same as for the professional version. The modules used to accelerate the design process and to enable a market analysis of the product are not included in the package. A limited technical support is available. (cf. purchasing information).
	ADS Homebuilder is in the first place intended for amateur aircraft builders. Keeping in mind that a homebuilt project might one day turn into a commercial venture, it is important to have a correct idea of the qualities of the new design. In addition, it is equally important to know exactly what the “competing” products are capable of. The algorithms are the same as for the professional version. The optimisation module is not included in the package. Reaction from technical support is guaranteed within 3 days (cf. purchasing information).
	ADS Professional is intended for the professional. Since time is money, this version has an optimisation module which is an easy and rapid tool to define and optimise the configuration of the airplane on the drawing board. The module for statistical analysis enables the user to perform the major part of the market analysis of the new aircraft. ADS Professional may be installed on 2 workstations. A maximum of technical support is available. (cf. purchasing information).
	ADS Education offers the same features and functions as the professional version. This version is exclusively available for universities and academic institutions, and can be installed on 20 workstations. (cf. purchasing information).

ADS consists of several modules, which make a complete package covering all the stages of the conceptual design process of a light aircraft.

The module for Statistical Analysis allows you to make a real time analysis of existing aircraft.

Particularly in the conceptual stage of the design, this analysis is essential for :

• Evaluating the available level of current technology and positioning your design amongst its direct and indirect competitors.

• Finding realistic parameters as the best starting point for your new design project.

Which engine do I use ? Which propeller ? What wing area is needed to provide lift and how big do I make the tail surfaces to obtain good handling qualities ? What will be the empty weight ? How will the aerodynamics work out ? How will the performance be for the different flight conditions ? Is it possible to meet the design specification ? How do I take into account the applicable regulations ? Do I settle for a single engine configuration or a twin ? So many questions come to your mind !

The Design module of ADS will help you find the answers to all these questions in the shortest possible time.

The ADS design module will take you through 3 levels :

1. Level 1 : Based on a limited amount of input data, the design module determines the geometry of the aircraft and the engine power required to obtain the desired performance for the main design condition (i.e. flight condition specified as most important).

2. Level 2 : More input data of higher accuracy will be required at level 2. You will select certain ‘components’ from databases (engine, wing section, tyres, ...). The dimensions of the aircraft will be computed, as a weight estimate. Performances are calculated for different flight conditions :  takeoff, climb and cruise. The results are shown in tables as well as in graphs to provide for convenient interpretation.

3. Level 3 : Unlike the design at level 1 or level 2, the design at level 3 will compute the aircraft performance for a given (fixed) aircraft weight and geometry. The purposes of level 3 design are :

• To investigate the performances (take-off, climb, cruise) of an aircraft at different weights.

• To investigate the impact that a modification will make to an aircraft, such as e.g. replacing a fixed landing gear by a retractable landing gear, changes to a wing, installing a different engine, improving the aerodynamics, etc ...

• To establish acceptable limits beyond which the project is no longer sustainable. For example, a heavier than estimated weight will result in a degraded performance. Defining your minimum acceptable performance will give what weight margin is acceptable.

The Design Module determines in an efficient way :

• Geometry

  • Dimensions of the lifting surfaces

  • Dimensions of the fuselage

  • Dimensions of the nacelles

  • Automatic Creation of a 3D model of the aircraft which corresponds to the results of the conceptual design.

• Weight

  • Empty weight

  • Maximum takeoff weight

  • Specific weights of every aircraft component computed according to its dimensions

• Propulsion

  • Maximum engine power

  • Power available for every flight speed and flight altitude

  • Propeller characteristics

  • Propeller diameter

  • Propeller pitch angle(s)

  • Propeller efficiency computed for every flight speed

• Aerodynamics

  • Lift

  • Lift distribution along the span

  • Maximum lift coefficient

  • Total drag

  • Drag for every component of the aircraft

  • Drag coefficients

  • Specific drag coefficients of every aircraft component

  • Dynamic pressure

• Performances

  • Takeoff run

  • Takeoff distance to 15m

  • Maximum rate of climb

  • Maximum rate of climb OEI

  • Rate of climb at given speed

  • Cruising speed

  • Range

  • Endurance

• Balance

  • Maximum CG forward position

  • Maximum CG aft position

  • CG range

In the conceptual design stage of a product, it is important to begin by to considering the maximum feasible number of possible solutions, and then reduce this number systematically until at the end of the process, the only one solution is left over : the one which will meet the design specification as closely as possible.

ADS incorporates a dedicated optimisation module. In the optimisation module, the software asks for the parameters that you wish to ‘float’, together with a lower, an upper limit and the increment to work with. Each set of parameters forms a particular aircraft configuration. The current version of ADS is capable of handling up to 10.000 configurations simultaneously.

Because this process creates a huge volume of output, and to facilitate the analysis of the results, you can set certain limits as a filter for eliminating less valuable output. Only results falling within these limits will be shown. Generally the limits (filters) are set as a following a thorough analysis of existing aircraft. (see Statistical Analysis Module).

At the end of the process, you will be left with only a handful of different configurations. In the next stage, you will define the input data with greater accuracy and investigate the other flight conditions. (see Design Module, level 2)

One picture can tell more than a thousand words !

The 3D Module allows you to make a real time visual analysis of the just obtained results of your conceptual design. It is also a convenient link to CAD (Computer Aided Design). With a few mouse-clicks you can export the ADS generated geometry in a format which can be further used with almost any CAD software.

The 3D Module works like a real Expert System. The 3D model generated corresponds to the results of the conceptual design and is made according to the ‘rules of the game’ in design and aerodynamics.

And, maybe most important of all, a virtual 3D model of the aircraft will certainly be of great help for convincing investors, first customers or partners in your project.

Purchasing information

The location of the CG of the individual subassemblies as well as the aircraft CG are automatically computed.

Graphical display.

A graphical representation is displayed at the bottom of the window. The CG of the individual subassemblies are plotted as an amber circle. Payload items are plotted as green squares. The aircraft CG is shown by blue circles. Two vertical marks indicate the forward and aft CG position which are determined by manoeuvrability and stability criterions respectively. The loaded aircraft CG must fall within this CG range for all loading conditions.

The Digitizer Module is a tool which was developed for:

1. A rapid and efficient means for processing of all information found on a general arrangement drawing (3-View drawing).

   • Measuring dimensions

   • Measuring dimension ratios

   • Measuring angles

   • Measuring areas

2. A rapid means for generating and plotting graphs, e.g. the drag polar of a glider.

This database is a real electronic catalogue of :

• Single or twin-engine light aircraft,

• Ultralights,

• Gliders,

• Motorgliders,

• Rotorcrafts,

• Seaplanes,

• Unmanned Aircrafts,

• Scale models ….

The database provides a lot of technical and commercial information about most aircraft available on the market. The user can not only utilise the existing database but also complement it by adding new aircraft to it or by updating the existing sets of data.

As a ADS user, you will have access to the different databases available on the website www.oad.aero. You will thus be able to download freely the data that interest you to utilise them subsequently on your own computer.

Purchasing information

The engine database will contain most of the engines which are currently installed on single- or twin-engined light aircraft and on ultralights.

As for the aircraft database, the user can not only utilise the existing database but also complement it by adding new records to it or by updating the existing sets of data. Each set of data contains the technical characteristics of an engine, its performances, the power and consumption curves, a photo of the engine together with a 3-view drawing.

Most of the information contained in each set of data is utilised by the ADS calculation procedures.

Purchasing information

The profile database will contain most of the profiles which are currently used on the single- or twin-engine light aircraft as well as on ultralights.

As for the aircraft or engine databases, the user can not only utilise the existing database but also complement it by adding new records to it or by updating the existing sets of data. Each set of data contains the geometric characteristics of a profile together with the aerodynamic characteristics (lift curves, polar coordinates, etc.) which correspond to different Reynolds numbers.

Most of the information contained in each set of data is utilised by the ADS calculation procedures.

Purchasing information

The Useful Tools Module may be used to :

• Calculate the properties of the standard atmosphere at a given altitude

• Calculate the density altitude

• Convert value from SI to FPSR system unit

Possibility of entering SI or FPSR system data

Available in French or English version

Integration of regulations

Operating system : Windows 98 / Me / 2000 / XP

Internet Browser :

Display : Resolution 1024 x 768, or more

Processeur : Pentium III 450 MHz, or more

Memory : 64 MB or more

Disk space : 20 MB