First Time Designing. Where to Start?
Hello everyone!
So yesterday I finally bit the bullet and decided that the plane I really want doesn't exist, and I'll design it myself. I have a clear idea of what it should look like in my head, and I'm currently having a friend draw up some sketches of it (I'm terrible at drawing). Now where do I go from here?
It's a small, single-seat plane that I WANT to build under 254 pounds (it will use a Polini Thor 250, so it won't be a true ultralight, but I plan on releasing plans once it's finished and I want people to be able to build it as an ultralight). It will have a steel tube fuselage, and fabric covered wings and control surfaces.
So...how do I go about deciding on wing span/length of it? What about choosing an airfoil? How about general "will it fly, and how well" aerodynamics? What about structural integrity? Basically I know I have a LOT to learn, but I'm not sure right now where to even begin. Can any of you help me?
EDIT: Well after doing a bunch of looking around online I just bought "Simplified Aircraft Design for Homebuidlers". I'm also considering "The Design of the Airplane" by Darrol Stinton. I've heard that those books cover all the aerodynamics needed, but not the structural integrity. What books would y'all recommend for that? Or should I just find an engineer to help me with that part of it?
Thanks!