Spin prediction techniques
(Previously cited in issue 20, p. 3663, Accession no. A80-45863)
Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Barnhart, B..
(Previously cited in issue 20, p. 3663, Accession no. A80-45863)
The influence of horizontal tail location on the rotational flow aerodynamics is discussed for a 1/6-scale general aviation airplane model. The model was tested using various horizontal tail positions, with both a high and a low-wing location and for each of two body lengths. Data were measured, using a rotary balance, over an angle-of-attack range of 8 to 90 deg, and for clockwise and counter-clockwise rotations covering an Omega b/2V range of 0 to 0.9.
Aerodynamic characteristics obtained in a rotational flow environment, utilizing a rotary balance are presented in plotted form for a 1/12 scale F-15 airplane model. The configurations tested included the buildup of airplane components and the basic airplane with various control deflections. Data are presented for all configurations without analysis for an angle of attack range of 8 to 90 deg, and clockwise and counterclockwise rotations covering an omega b/2V range from 0 to 0.4. Selected configurations are presented over an extended omega b/2V range from 0 to 0.9.
Aerodynamic characteristics obtained in a rotational flow environment, utilizing a rotary balance, are presented in plotted form for a 1/12 scale conformal fuel tank equipped F-15 airplane model. The configurations tested included in the buildup of airplane components and the basic airplane with various control deflections. Data are presented for all configurations without analysis for an angle of attack range of 8 to 90 deg, and clockwise and counterclockwise rotations covering an omega b/2V range from 0 to 0.4. Selected configurations are presented over an extended omega b/2V range from 0 to 0.9.
F-15 rotary balance data was analyzed, and the influence of control deflections, Reynolds number and airplane components, i.e., body, wing, horizontal and vertical tails, as well as conformal tanks, on the aerodynamics up to 90 degrees angle of attack are discussed. Steady state spin mode predictions using these data are presented, which show excellent correlation with spin tunnel and flight test results. Generally, the data shows damped yawing moment slopes with rotation at all angles of attack, and good control effectiveness. Differences in the rotary aerodynamics due to the addition of conformal tanks are minimal. The small differences in the region of the flat spin do, however, indicate that the resulting spin mode would be slightly flatter and faster for a conformal tank equipped airplane. The addition of conformal tanks make the airplane more departure susceptible.
The NASA Langley Research Center has the responsibility to advance the state-of-the-art in the area of stall/spin technology. This includes the development and validation of experimental and analytical techniques for the prediction of stall/spin characteristics. As a part of this effort, a rotary balance facility located in the Langley spin tunnel was developed two and a half years ago to rapidly identify an airplane's aerodynamic characteristics in a rotational flow environment. On-line rotary balance data plots and on-line predicted steady spin modes permit the designer to develop, on site, a configuration highly resistant to spins, or one which has good spin characteristics, i.e., no spin equilibrium conditions possible with lateral-directional controls neutral, if the airplane is to be used for acrobatic maneuvers or training. The rotary balance data are also used to compute time histories of a spin's incipient, developed, and recovery phases. These spin analysis techniques and their correlation with spin tunnel model and full-scale flight results are discussed herein.
Static force data obtained at the NASA Ames Research Center 12 foot Pressure Tunnel are presented in plotted form for a 1/7 scale, single-engine, low-wing general aviation airplane model. The configurations tested included the basic airplane, various airfoil shapes, tail designs, fuselage strakes and fuselage modifications as well as airplane components. The test conditions included an angle-of-attack and sideslip range of -8 to 90 and -10 to 30 degrees, respectively, at a Mach number of 0.2 for Reynolds numbers of 288,000 and 3,450,000. The data are presented without analysis.
The influence of different mathematical and aerodynamic models on computed spin motion was investigated along with the importance of some of the aerodynamic and nonaerodynamic quantities defined in these models. An analytical technique was used which included the aerodynamic forces and moments acting on a spinning aircraft due to steady rotational flow and the contribution of the rotary derivatives to the oscillatory component of the total angular rates. It was shown that (1) during experimental-analytical correlation studies, the flight-recorded control time histories must be faithfully duplicated since the spinning motion can be sensitive to a small change in the application of the spin entry controls; (2) an error in the assumed inertias, yawing moments at high angle of attack, and initial spin entry bank angle do not influence the developed spin significantly; (3) damping in pitch derivatives and the center of gravity location play a role in the spinning motion; and (4) the experimental spin investigations conducted in a constant atmospheric density environment duplicate the Froude number only at the initial full-scale spin altitude (since the full-scale airplane at high altitudes experiences large density changes during the spin.)