Scaling wake-particle interactions for aerial applications research

The differential equation for the trajectory of a spherical particle injected into an aircraft wake was developed and the proper scaling relations extracted. After some simplification, a convenient set of similarity parameters was established. Using these similarity parameters a scale-model test program was designed and performed in the NASA Langley Vortex Research Facility. The results of the tests demonstrated the validity of the similarity parameters in conducting scale-model testing for aerial applications research.