Aeroelasticity#Buffeting

Buffeting is a phenomenon of aeroelasticity. It is the structural response of the aircraft structure on an aerodynamic phenomenon called breakfast, a non-stationary ( time-varying ) flow around the wing. Buffet has a periodic oscillation of lift and drag result, which means for the aircraft structure that the wing is excited to elastic vibrations. The frequencies of these oscillations are typically in the range of the natural vibrations of the wing structure ( bending and torsion ) and therefore greatly tend to encourage the wing to strong vibrations.

Consequences

The consequences for the flight condition can be significant. On the one hand buffeting can bring the aircraft structure to their static or dynamic limits and thus lead to failure of the structure. On the other hand, the vibrations are in a frequency and amplitude range that is perceived by humans as a strong vibration. The comfort of a quiet cruise, would be severely impaired. The periodic fluctuations in the lift of the aircraft can this be so large that no longer sufficient buoyancy is the travel or maneuvering flight. The controllability of the airplane can be greatly affected and result in a dangerous flight condition.

Probability of occurrence of buffeting

Commercial aircraft are designed so that buffeting occurs in any flight condition. The maximum speed of such aircraft is limited by this buffeting limit. More specifically allowed buffeting at maximum permissible airspeed not even use when simultaneously the maximum maneuvering load (maximum lift ) is flown, eg when flaring to the maximum climb.