Sylvie Willis
Fuel tank fairings, also known as ventral fairings, are structures that cover the gaps and spaces between parts of an aircraft, such as between the fuselage and the wings. They are primarily designed to reduce drag and improve the airflow around the aircraft, enhancing its performance and efficiency. Additionally, fuel tank fairings can provide protection for the fuel tanks and contribute to the overall appearance of the aircraft by creating a smooth and streamlined outline. These fairings are commonly found on the underside of the fuselage, covering fuel tanks and additional cargo storage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To provide a clean aerodynamic surface and eliminate steps, air, fuel and diesel fluid tanks, battery boxes, etc. that increase drag |
| Use | To kick air slightly outboard of the tractor drive wheels, preventing the air from directly impacting the face of the tire thread |
| Location | From the cab steps to the end of the sleeper or with extensions to the first drive wheel |
| Requirements | Sleeper chassis fairings are generally required for SmartWay designated tractors |
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What You'll Learn
Fairings reduce drag and improve appearance
Fairings are structures that are used to produce a smooth outline and reduce drag. They are covers for gaps and spaces between parts of an aircraft to reduce form drag and interference drag, and to improve appearance.
An aircraft fairing, also called a "ventral fairing", is located on the underside of the fuselage between the main wings. It can also cover additional cargo storage or fuel tanks. They are commonly made from fibreglass and may incorporate a windshield.
Fairings are necessary to enclose the flap operating mechanism when the flap is up. They open up as the flap comes down and may also pivot to allow the necessary sideways movement of the extending mechanism, which occurs on swept-wing installations.
Wheel fairings, also called "wheel pants" or "speed fairings" in North America, provide a smooth surface and a faired nose and tail for laminar flow. They reduce the turbulence created by the round wheel and its associated gear legs and brakes. They also serve the important function of preventing mud and stones from being thrown upwards against the wings or fuselage, or into the propeller on a pusher craft.
In the context of tractors, a chassis fairing, sometimes called a chassis or fuel tank skirt, provides a clean aerodynamic surface and eliminates steps, air, fuel, and diesel fluid tanks, battery boxes, etc., that increase the drag of an exposed chassis.
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They ensure airflow goes where it's needed
An aircraft fairing is a structure that helps produce a smooth outline and reduce drag. These structures cover the gaps and spaces between the parts of an aircraft to reduce form drag and interference drag, and to improve appearance. A fuel tank fairing, also known as a ventral fairing, is located on the underside of the fuselage between the main wings and can also cover additional cargo storage or fuel tanks.
Fuel tank fairings ensure airflow goes where it is needed by providing a clean aerodynamic surface. They eliminate steps, air, fuel, and diesel fluid tanks, battery boxes, etc., that increase the drag of an exposed chassis. They also kick air slightly outboard of the tractor drive wheels, preventing the air from directly impacting the face of the tire thread.
Wheel fairings, also known as wheel pants, speed fairings, wheel spats, or trousers, are another type of fairing that increases the frontal and surface area. They provide a smooth surface and a faired nose and tail for laminar flow, reducing the turbulence created by the round wheel and its associated gear legs and brakes.
Elevator and stabilizer tip fairings smooth out airflow at the tips, while fillets smooth the airflow at the junction between two components like the fuselage and wing. Landing gear fairings reduce drag at these junctions.
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They cover gaps and spaces between parts of an aircraft
An aircraft fairing is a structure that is used to produce a smooth outline and reduce drag. These structures are used to cover gaps and spaces between parts of an aircraft to reduce form drag and interference drag, as well as to improve the appearance of the aircraft.
Fairings are designed to meet the air on its own terms and ensure that airflow goes where the plane can best make use of it. They are often used to cover the junction between two components of an aircraft, such as the fuselage and wing, to smooth the airflow and improve the aircraft's performance.
For example, wheel fairings, also known as "wheel pants" or "speed fairings", are used to enclose the wheel and landing gear leg to reduce the turbulence created by the round wheel and its associated gear legs and brakes. They also serve the important function of preventing mud and stones from being thrown upwards against the wings, fuselage, or propeller.
Fuel tank fairings, specifically, are located on the underside of the fuselage between the main wings and can also cover additional cargo storage or fuel tanks. They are commonly made from fibreglass and may incorporate a windshield to protect the crew on ultralight trikes.
By covering the gaps and spaces between aircraft components, fairings help to streamline the aircraft's shape, improve its aerodynamic performance, and enhance its overall appearance.
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Fuel tank fairings can cover additional cargo storage
Fuel tank fairings, also known as ventral fairings, are located on the underside of the fuselage between the main wings. They are designed to cover additional cargo storage or fuel tanks.
The primary function of an aircraft fairing is to produce a smooth outline and reduce drag. These structures cover gaps and spaces between aircraft parts to reduce form drag and interference drag and improve the vehicle's appearance.
Fuel tank fairings are an example of a chassis fairing, also called a fuel tank skirt. Chassis fairings provide a clean aerodynamic surface and eliminate steps, air, fuel, and diesel fluid tanks, battery boxes, etc., that increase the drag of an exposed chassis. They also kick the air slightly outboard of the tractor drive wheels, preventing the air from directly impacting the face of the tire tread.
Fuel tank fairings can vary in material and design. For example, they are commonly made from fibreglass and may incorporate a windshield to protect the crew on ultralight trikes.
Overall, fuel tank fairings serve an important function in improving the aerodynamics of an aircraft and can also provide additional benefits such as protecting crew members and covering cargo storage.
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They're also called ventral fairings
A fuel tank fairing, also known as a chassis fairing or fuel tank skirt, is a structure that provides a clean aerodynamic surface and eliminates drag-increasing elements such as steps, air, fuel and diesel fluid tanks, and battery boxes. They also prevent air from directly impacting the face of the tire tread.
The aerodynamic interaction of the ventral fairing with the wing and fuselage is significant at both high subsonic speeds (close to the transonic regime) and low speeds (near the incompressible regime). A good aerodynamic design for the outer shape of the ventral fairing aims to minimise negative interactions between the wing, fairing, and fuselage, reducing aerodynamic drag and improving airflow adherence.
There are two conventional technical solutions for the design of ventral fairings. The first is a simple design that projects from below the contour of the fuselage, with minimal interaction with the wing's aerodynamics. The second is a more complex design that only minimally projects from the contour of the fuselage, offering a greater degree of favourable aerodynamic intersection with the wing.
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Frequently asked questions
A fuel tank fairing, also known as a ventral fairing, is a structure that covers the gap between the fuselage and the wings of an aircraft.
A fuel tank fairing serves to produce a smooth outline and reduce drag. This smooth surface ensures that airflow goes where the plane can best make use of it, improving the performance of the aircraft.
A fuel tank fairing is located on the underside of the fuselage between the main wings.
Fairings can also cover additional cargo storage, protect the crew on ultralight trikes, and prevent mud and stones from being thrown upwards against the wings or fuselage.
