Wing inertia

For handling quality studies, mass distribution & inertia the saiplane are part of the eigen modes solutions.
It is nevertheless very difficult to access such data among existing sailplanes.

Here is a simple spreadsheet tool that evaluate inertia of a wing on main axes (Ixx, Izz, Iyy) .

Some simplifying hypothesis are made (wing seen as a beam, simplified mass distribution, etc), in order to be able to evaluate realistic values of inertia.

Inputs :

• estimation of the spar & "skin" mass
• geometry elements
• water quantity

Simplifying hypothesis are made about how to spread/share thoses mass along span & chord. The effects of filling tanks is also evaluated, once again with some hypothesis.

Outputs :

• Inertia/ inertia radius, at elements CG
• Inertia/ inertia radius, at wing CG
• Inertia/ inertia radius, at a reference point
  

Similar modeling will be needed for fuselage.

If you happen to have data on sailplane inertia, just tell me !