Actual Thrust (F_actual) in aircraft design represents the real-world thrust generated by an aircraft’s propulsion system, accounting for various factors such as engine efficiency, air density, altitude, and other performance variables.
The formula for actual thrust can be expressed as:
- For piston engines, P is the effective brake horsepower (BHP) of the engine in horsepower (hp).
- AÂ is the propeller’s efficiency factor (dimensionless).
- eta_prop is the overall propeller efficiency (dimensionless)
- D is the drag force acting on the aircraft in newtons (N).