Enter the hinge moment, dynamic pressure, control surface area, and mean aerodynamic chord into the calculator to determine the hinge moment coefficient.

Hinge Moment Coefficient Calculator

Enter any 4 values to calculate the missing variable

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Hinge Moment Coefficient Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the hinge moment coefficient for a given set of parameters. 

C_h = \frac{M_h}{q \cdot S \cdot c}

Variables:

  • Ch is the hinge moment coefficient
  • Mh is the hinge moment
  • q is the dynamic pressure
  • S is the control surface area
  • c is the mean aerodynamic chord

To calculate the hinge moment coefficient, divide the hinge moment by the product of the dynamic pressure, control surface area, and mean aerodynamic chord.

What is a Hinge Moment Coefficient?

The hinge moment coefficient is a dimensionless number that represents the effectiveness of a control surface, such as an aileron or rudder, in producing a hinge moment. The hinge moment is the torque required to rotate the control surface about its hinge line. This coefficient is crucial in the design and analysis of aircraft control surfaces, as it helps in understanding the aerodynamic forces acting on the control surfaces and the required control forces to maneuver the aircraft.

How to Calculate Hinge Moment Coefficient?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Hinge Moment Coefficient.

  1. First, determine the hinge moment (Mh).
  2. Next, determine the dynamic pressure (q).
  3. Next, determine the control surface area (S).
  4. Next, determine the mean aerodynamic chord (c).
  5. Finally, calculate the hinge moment coefficient using the formula Ch = Mh / (q * S * c).
  6. After inserting the values and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem : 

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Hinge Moment (Mh) = 50 Nm

Dynamic Pressure (q) = 1000 Pa

Control Surface Area (S) = 2 m²

Mean Aerodynamic Chord (c) = 1.5 m