Search NASA⌕ Search

Engineering topics

Brandon, Jay M.

Publications and source records attributed to Brandon, Jay M..

29 records · Page 2

Application of Wind Tunnel Free-Flight Technique for Wake Vortex Encounters

A wind tunnel investigation was conducted in the Langley 30- by 60-Foot Tunnel to assess the free-flight test technique as a tool in research on wake vortex encounters. A typical 17.5-percent scale business-class jet airplane model was flown behind a stationary wing mounted in the forward portion of the wind tunnel test section. The span ratio (model span-generating wingspan) was 0.75. The wing angle of attack could be adjusted to produce a vortex of desired strength. The test airplane model was successfully flown in the vortex and through the vortex for a range of vortex strengths. Data obtained included the model airplane body axis accelerations, angular rates, attitudes, and control positions as a function of vortex strength and relative position. Pilot comments and video records were also recorded during the vortex encounters.

Brandon, Jay M.↗

Free-flight investigation of forebody blowing for stability and control

A free-flight wind-tunnel investigation was conducted on a generic fighter model with forebody pneumatic vortex control for high angle-of-attack directional control. This is believed to be the first flight demonstration of a forebody blowing concept integrated into a closed-loop flight control system for stability augmentation and control. The investigation showed that the static wind tunnel estimates of the yaw control available generally agreed with flight results. The control scheme for the blowing nozzles consisted of an on/off control with a deadband. Controlled flight was obtained for the model using forebody blowing for directional control to beyond 45 deg. angle of attack.

Brandon, Jay M.↗

Ground-to-Flight Handling Qualities Comparisons for a High Performance Airplane

A flight test program was conducted in conjunction with a ground-based piloted simulation study to enable a comparison of handling qualities ratings for a variety of maneuvers between flight and simulation of a modern high performance airplane. Specific objectives included an evaluation of pilot-induced oscillation (PIO) tendencies and a determination of maneuver types which result in either good or poor ground-to-flight pilot handling qualities ratings. A General Dynamics F-16XL aircraft was used for the flight evaluations, and the NASA Langley Differential Maneuvering Simulator was employed for the ground based evaluations. Two NASA research pilots evaluated both the airplane and simulator characteristics using tasks developed in the simulator. Simulator and flight tests were all conducted within approximately a one month time frame. Maneuvers included numerous fine tracking evaluations at various angles of attack, load factors and speed ranges, gross acquisitions involving longitudinal and lateral maneuvering, roll angle captures, and an ILS task with a sidestep to landing. Overall results showed generally good correlation between ground and flight for PIO tendencies and general handling qualities comments. Differences in pilot technique used in simulator evaluations and effects of airplane accelerations and motions are illustrated.

Brandon, Jay M.↗

Piloted simulation study of an ILS approach of a twin-pusher business/commuter turboprop aircraft configuration

A six-degree-of-freedom nonlinear simulation of a twin-pusher, turboprop business/commuter aircraft configuration representative of the Cessna ATPTB (Advanced turboprop test bed) was developed for use in piloted studies with the Langley General Aviation Simulator. The math models developed are provided, simulation predictions are compared with with Cessna flight-test data for validation purposes, and results of a handling quality study during simulated ILS (instrument landing system) approaches and missed approaches are presented. Simulated flight trajectories, task performance measures, and pilot evaluations are presented for the ILS approach and missed-approach tasks conducted with the vehicle in the presence of moderate turbulence, varying horizontal winds and engine-out conditions. Six test subjects consisting of two research pilots, a Cessna test pilot, and three general aviation pilots participated in the study. This effort was undertaken in cooperation with the Cessna Aircraft Company.

Riley, Donald R.↗

Dynamic stall effects and applications to high performance aircraft

Recent research conducted at the NASA Langley Research Center on the effects of large amplitude pitching motions on the aerodynamic characteristics of modern fighter aircraft configurations is highlighted. Wind tunnel tests were conducted on simple flat-plate wings to gain understanding of the complex flow phenomena during unsteady motions at high angles of attack. Studies then progressed to a representative modern fighter configuration. Using a computer controlled dynamic apparatus, tests were conducted to investigate effects of pitch rate and motion time history and to determine the persistence of unsteady effects. Data were also obtained in sideslip and with control surface deflections to investigate dynamic effects on lateral stability and available control power. Force and moment data were obtained using a 6-component internal strain-gage balance. To aid in the interpretation of the results, flow visualization using a laser light-sheet system was also obtained. Results of these tests are discussed, along with their implications on the maneuverability of future advanced airplanes designed to operate in the highly dynamic, high angle-of-attack environment.

Brandon, Jay M.↗

Unsteady aerodynamic characteristics of a fighter model undergoing large-amplitude pitching motions at high angles of attack

The effects of harmonic or constant-rate-ramp pitching motions (giving angles of attack from 0 to 75 deg) on the aerodynamic performance of a fighter-aircraft model with highly swept leading-edge extensions are investigated experimentally in the NASA Langley 12-ft low-speed wind tunnel. The model configuration and experimental setup are described, and the results of force and moment measurements and flow visualizations are presented graphically and discussed in detail. Large force overshoots and hysteresis are observed and attributed to lags in vortical-flow development and breakup. The motion variables have a strong influence on the persistence of dynamic effects, which are found to affect pitch-rate capability more than flight-path turning performance.

Brandon, Jay M.↗

Effect of large amplitude pitching motions on the unsteady aerodynamic characteristics of flat-plate wings

Large-amplitude unsteady motion effects on the aerodynamic force and stability characteristics of flat-plate wings were investigated in a wind tunnel for the cases of two delta wings with respective leading edge sweeps of 70 and 45 deg, and a rectangular wing whose aspect ratio was equal to that of the 70-deg delta wing. Attention was given to the effects of reduced frequency and mean angle of attack. It is found that lags in vortex burst location and separation/reattachment of flow on the upper surface of the wing produced large overshoots and hysteresis loops in normal force and pitching moment coefficients that were a strong function of mean oscillation angle and reduced frequency.

Brandon, Jay M.↗

Piloted-simulation study of effects of vortex flaps on low-speed handling qualities of a Delta-wing airplane

A piloted-simulation study was conducted to investigate the effects of vortex flaps on low-speed handling qualities of a delta-wing airplane. The simulation math model was developed from wind tunnel tests of a 0.15 scale model of the F-106B airplane. Pilot evaluations were conducted using a six-degree-of-freedom motion base simulator. The results of the investigation showed that the reduced static longitudinal stability caused by the vortex flaps significantly degraded handling qualities in the approach-to-landing task. Acceptable handling qualities could be achieved by limiting the aft center-of-gravity location, consequently reducing the operational envelope of the airplane. Further improvement were possible by modifying the flight control force-feel system to reduce pitch-control sensitivity.

Brandon, Jay M.↗

On the nonlinear aerodynamic and stability characteristics of a generic chine-forebody slender-wing fighter configuration

An exploratory investigation was conducted of the nonlinear aerodynamic and stability characteristics of a tailless generic fighter configuration featuring a chine-shaped forebody coupled to a slender cropped delta wing in the NASA Langley Research Center's 12-Foot Low-Speed Wind Tunnel. Forebody and wing vortex flow mechanisms were identified through off-body flow visualizations to explain the trends in the longitudinal and lateral-directional characteristics at extreme attitudes (angles of attack and sideslip). The interactions of the vortical motions with centerline and wing-mounted vertical tail surfaces were studied and the flow phenomena were correlated with the configuration forces and moments. Single degree of freedom, free-to-roll tests were used to study the wing rock susceptibility of the generic fighter model. Modifications to the nose region of the chine forebody were examined and fluid mechanisms were established to account for their ineffectiveness in modulating the highly interactive forebody and wing vortex systems.

Erickson, Gary E.↗

On the nonlinear aerodynamic and stability characteristics of a generic chine-forebody slender-wing fighter configuration

An exploratory investigation was conducted of the nonlinear aerodynamic and stability characteristics of a tailless generic fighter configuration featuring a chine-shaped forebody coupled to a slender cropped delta wing in the NASA Langley Research Center's 12-Foot Low-Speed Wind Tunnel. Forebody and wing vortex flow mechanisms were identified through off-body flow visualizations to explain the trends in the longitudinal and lateral-directional characteristics at extreme attitudes (angles of attack and sideslip). The interactins of the vortical motions with centerline and wing-mounted vertical tail surfaces were studied and the flow phenomena were correlated with the configuration forces and moments. Single degree-of-freedom, free-to-roll tests were used to study the wing rock susceptibility of the generic fighter model. Modifications to the nose region of the chine forebody were examined and fluid mechanisms were established to account for their ineffectiveness in modulating the highly interactive forebody and wing vortex systems.

Erickson, Gary E.↗