Lab sessions work best when students can change geometry and immediately see aerodynamic response. HFOIL was designed for that loop on Windows desktops.
Suggested lab modules
Lab A: Compare NACA 0012, 2412, and 4412 at the same Re. Lab B: Sweep Re for one section and discuss boundary-layer trends. Lab C: Build a simple wing and discuss induced drag versus aspect ratio.
Assessment tips
Ask students to export plots or write short reports explaining why one section fits a mission better. Focus on reasoning, not just the “best” Cl/Cd number.
Why desktop tools help
Local software keeps classroom bandwidth predictable and lets instructors demonstrate live without depending on a shared server session.
Engineering takeaway
Airfoil selection is a trade among lift, drag, stall gentleness, and pitching moment. Document Reynolds number, Mach assumptions, and geometry provenance whenever you share polars with a team.
How HFOIL helps you act
Use HFOIL on Windows to iterate sections, generate polars, move into wing loading, and prepare review-ready plots. For licensing in any country, use Contact Us or email support@hendoi.com.
Learn more
Students: treat each case as a lab notebook entry. Companies: shortlist two or three sections before freezing CAD. Academies: assign compare-and-justify exercises using batch plots.