The STARLET project objective was to design a new concept of active flow control system based on suction-blowing devices for the control of the aerodynamic load on aircraft wing and to check its usability by CFD calculations and wind tunnel tests. The aim of the flow control concept to be investigated was the alleviation of wing structural loading, especially of the bending moment, having direct influence on the structure fatigue life, through the modification of wing aerodynamic load distribution in gusts and off-design flight conditions. To achieve this goal the implementation of suction-blowing technique for active control of aerodynamic load distribution on aircraft wing was proposed.

Several concepts of active flow control system were proposed and evaluated using CFD calculations and the most promising solutions of suction-blowing systems were investigated through wind tunnel tests. These experimental tests included fully-3D investigations on a large-scale wing model (semi-span wing). It was expected, that as a result of these investigations, innovative, dedicated solutions of suction-blowing "smart structures" were designed and adapted in wing-load-control systems. The proposed work began with a review of the existing state of knowledge on the topics of the project, leading to the formulation of requirements for the concept of active load control. It was assumed that the ILOT concept was directed towards blowing devices located in selected regions of the wing including spoiler area and vicinity of the trailing edge. For the wind-tunnel investigation an 2.4 m, existing semi-span wing model equipped with movable aileron and flap was proposed to be used. The model of wing was prepared for balance measurements on the 5-component wall balance. The model also enabled the estimation of spanwise load distribution. To achieve the goals of the project a special policy of project monitoring and reduction of the potential risk was adopted.