Weights

This module provides empty weight approximations using mostly empirical textbook methods. For now there are only models for small turboprop-sized aircraft, but more may be added in the future. Component positions within the aircraft are not considered; all masses are accumulated into a single number.

Single-engine turboprop OEW: SingleTurboPropEmptyWeight

This model combines estimates from Raymer[1] and Roskam[2] to compute the total operating empty weight of a small single-engine turboprop aircraft. The engine and propeller weight are not computed since OpenConcept’s turboshaft and propeller models compute those separately. Thus, those weights must be provided to this component by the user.

This model uses the following components from the openconcept.weights module to estimate the total empty weight:

• WingWeight_SmallTurboprop

• EmpennageWeight_SmallTurboprop

• FuselageWeight_SmallTurboprop

• NacelleWeight_SmallSingleTurboprop

• LandingGearWeight_SmallTurboprop

• FuelSystemWeight_SmallTurboprop

• EquipmentWeight_SmallTurboprop

For turboprops with multiple engines, NacelleWeight_MultiTurboprop may be used instead of NacelleWeight_SmallSingleTurboprop.

Twin-engine series hybrid OEW: TwinSeriesHybridEmptyWeight

This model uses all the same components as SingleTurboPropEmptyWeight, except it adds weight inputs required by the user to account for the hybrid propulsion system. The additional weights, which are computed by other OpenConcept components, are electric motor weight and generator weight.

[1]

Daniel P. Raymer. Aircraft design: a conceptual approach fourth edition. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Reston, VA, 2006. ISBN 1563478293.

[2]

Jan Roskam. Airplane Design—Part V: Component Weight Estimation. DARcorporation, Lawrence, Kansas, 2019. ISBN 978-1-994995-50-1.