Patent ID: 11891165
Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  Y | IPC B

Claim 5:
6. A method of manufacturing an aircraft (1), the method comprises the steps of:
i) making a fuselage (2) with an axis (A) of longitudinal extension;
ii) arranging two mutually inclined surfaces (15a, 15b) symmetrically to said axis (A) so as to form a V-shape on a tail end (13) of said fuselage (2); and
iii) forming an angle between said surfaces (15a, 15b) so as to confer said aircraft (1) with a preliminary value of longitudinal static stability and lateral-directional stability;
said surfaces (15a, 15b) comprising respective end edges (16a, 16b) opposite to said fuselage (2);
iv) making two winglets (19a, 19b), which are arranged transversely to the respective said surfaces (15a, 15b), fixed with respect to said respective surfaces (15a, 15b) and extending from respective end edges (16a, 16b) of the respective said surfaces (15a, 15b); and
v) determining the area of said winglets (19a, 19b) and the inclination of said winglets (19a, 19b) with respect to the respective said surfaces (15a, 15b) based on a corrective value of said preliminary value of the longitudinal static stability and the lateral-directional stability;
said steps iv) and v) being carried out after said steps i), ii) and iii);
said first and second surfaces (15a, 15b) comprising:
respective first faces (17a, 17b) facing each other;
respective second faces (18a, 18b) opposite to the respective first faces (17a, 17b); and
said winglets (19a, 19b) extending from said respective end edges (16a, 16b);

each said winglet (19a, 19b) comprising:
a respective first portion (20a, 20b) extending in a cantilevered way from the associated end edge (16a, 16b) on the side of said respective first face (17a, 17b);

starting from the associated said end edge (16a, 16b), said first portions (20a, 20b) being convergent to one another;
each said winglet (19a, 19b) further comprises a respective second portion (21a, 21b) extending in a cantilevered way from the associated end edge (16a, 16b) on the side of said respective said second face (18a, 18b);
starting from the associated said end edge (16a, 16b), said second portions (21a, 21b) being divergent from one another.