variavel0=<b>João Batista Pessoa Falcão Filho</b> - falcao@directnet.com.br CTA - Centro Técnico Aeroespacial
<b>Olympio Achilles de Faria Mello</b> - oamello@directnet.com.br CTA - Centro Técnico Aeroespacial
<b>Abstract.</b> CTA´s Pilot Transonic Tunnel (TTP) is a 1:8 reduced-scale version of an industrial transonic tunnel design. To the maximum extent possible, the technical solutions adopted in the large tunnel design have been reproduced. The TTP has been installed fundamentally in order to investigate the innovative technical solutions that have been employed in the large tunnel design and to serve as basic research tool, in allowing tests with simple geometric shapes and two-dimensional airfoils. The TTP has a conventional circuit, being continuously driven by a two-stage axial compressor and intermittently driven also by a high-speed (Mach 1.9) mass ejection system, which recovers part of the losses along the circuit and results in a less expensive design for the main compressor. The TTP has a modern design and its operation is based on automated systems for the control of stagnation pressure, stagnation temperature, Mach number and humidity in the test section. This paper presents a description of the tunnel, with emphasis on its main operational characteristics, its systems and its design philosophy.
<b>Keywords.</b> Transonic Wind Tunnel, Experimental Aerodynamics, Aerodynamic Testing, Mechanical Design.