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At least 199 records · Page 11

A theoretical analysis of the effect of time lag in an automatic stabilization system on the lateral oscillatory stability of an airplane

A method is presented for determining the effect of time lag in an automatic stabilization system on the lateral oscillatory stability of an airplane. The method is based on an analytical-graphical procedure. The critical time lag of the airplane-autopilot system is readily determined from the frequency-response analysis. The method is applied to a typical present-day airplane equipped with an automatic pilot sensitive to yawing acceleration and geared to the rudder so that rudder control is applied in proportion to the yawing acceleration. The results calculated for this airplane-autopilot system by this method are compared with the airplane motions calculated by a step-by-step procedure.

Sternfield, Leonard↗

Experimental study of the flight envelope and research of safety requirements for hang-gliders

The flight mechanic computations were computed, providing both the flight envelopes with all sorts of limits and a fairly precise idea of the influence of several parameters, such as pilot's weight, wing settings, aeroelasticity, etc... The particular problem of luffing dives was thoroughly analyzed, and two kinds of causes were exhibited in both the rules of luffing and aeroelastic effects. The general analysis of longitudinal stability showed a strong link with fabric tension, as expected through Nielsen's and Twaites' theory. Fabric tension strongly depending upon aeroelasticity, that parameter was found to be the most effective design one for positive stability. Lateral stability was found to be very similar in all gliders except perhaps the cylindro-conical. The loss of stability happens in roll at low angle of attack, whereas it happens in yaw at high angle. Turning performance was a bit suprising, with a common maximum value of approximately 55 deg of bank angle for a steady turn.

Laburthe, C.↗

Wind-tunnel studies of the effects of simulated damage on the aerodynamic characteristics of airplanes and missiles

In order to assess the effects on static aerodynamic characteristics of battle damage to an aircraft or missile, wind tunnel studies were performed on models from which all or parts of the wing or horizontal or vertical tail had been removed. The effects of damage on the lift, longitudinal stability, lateral stability and directional stability of a swept-wing fighter are presented, along with the effects of wing removal on the control requirements of a delta-wing fighter. Results indicate that the loss of a major part of the vertical tail will probably result in the loss of the aircraft at any speed, while the loss of major parts of the horizontal tail generally results in catastrophic instability at subsonic speeds but, at low supersonic speeds, may allow the aircraft to return to friendly territory before pilot ejection. Major damage to the wing may be sustained without the loss of aircraft or pilot. The loss of some of the aerodynamic surfaces of cruise or surface-to-air missiles may result in catastrophic instability or may permit a ballistic trajectory to be maintained, depending upon the location of the lost surface with respect to the center of gravity of the missile.

Spearman, M. L.↗

Vortex sheet modeling with higher order curved panels

A numerical technique is presented for modeling the vortex sheet with a deformable surface definition, along which a continuous vortex strength distribution in the spanwise direction is applied, so that by repeatedly modifying its shape, its true configuration is approached, in the proximity of its generating wing. Design problems requiring the inclusion of a realistic configuration of the vortex sheet are numerous. Examples discussed include: control effectiveness and stability derivatives, longitudinal stability, lateral stability, canards, propellers and helicopter rotors, and trailing vortex hazards.

Nagati, M. G.↗

Lateral ride quality of the B-1 aircraft subjected to a reduction of lateral static stability

A method to evaluate the lateral ride quality of a B-1 aircraft subjected to a reduction in lateral static stability is developed. Ride quality is then found for three different relaxed static stability configurations which are augmented by yaw rate feedback to restore specified handling qualities. These cases are compared to the ride quality of the unrelaxed aircraft with the same handling qualities.

Hinsdale, A. J.↗

Lateral-directional stability investigation of the space shuttle orbiter at Mach 6

Lateral-directional aerodynamic data and oil-flow visualization results are pesented from four tests (conducted in two facilities using three models) which were designed to verify the hypersonic aerodynamics of the Space Shuttle orbiter at M=6. Comparisons of measured lateral-directional stability data and oil-flow results between the tests show excellent agreement, especially considering the nonuniform, unpredictable flow which occurs in the vicinity of the vertical tail. Results ere shown to be sensitive to Reynolds number with the higher Reynolds number cases producing more stable values and also showing good agreement with flight values. The results also show that the effects of Reynolds number, angle of attack, and angle of sideslip on the lateral-directional stability of future entry configuration should be carefully assessed for non-linearities.

Calloway, R. L.↗

The Effect of Negative Dihedral, Tip Droop, and Wing-tip Shape on the Low-speed Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Complete Model Having a 45 Degrees Sweptback Wing

An investigation has been conducted in the Langley 300 MPH 7- by 10-foot tunnel to determine the effect of negative dihedral, tip droop, and wing-tip shape on the low-speed aerodynamic characteristics of a complete model having a 45 degrees sweptback wing. Longitudinal and lateral stability characteristics were obtained for the model with and without tail surfaces.

STABILITY, LONGITUDINAL - STATIC↗

Water tunnel flow visualization and wind tunnel data analysis of the F/A-18

Six degree of freedom studies were utilized to extract a band of yawing and rolling moment coefficients from the F/A-18 aircraft flight records. These were compared with 0.06 scale model data obtained in a 16T wind tunnel facility. The results, indicate the flight test yawing moment data exhibit an improvement over the wind tunnel data to near neutral stability and a significant reduction in lateral stability (again to anear neutral level). These data are consistent with the flight test results since the motion was characterized by a relatively slo departure. Flight tests repeated the slow yaw departure at M 0.3. Only 0.16 scale model wind tunnel data showed levels of lateral stability similar to the flight test results. Accordingly, geometric modifications were investigated on the 0.16 scale model in the 30x60 foot wind tunnel to improve high angle of attack lateral stability.

Erickson, G. E.↗

Lateral-directional stability and control characteristics of the Quiet Short-Haul Research Aircraft (QSRA)

The results are presented of flight experiments to determine the lateral-directional stability and control characteristics of the Quiet Short-Haul Research Aircraft (QSRA), an experimental aircraft designed to furnish information on various aerodynamic characteristics of a transport type of airplane that makes use of the upper-surface blown (USB) flap technology to achieve short takeoff and landing (STOL) performance. The flight program designed to acquire the data consisted of maneuvers produced by rudder and control-wheel inputs with the airplane in several configurations that had been proposed for landing approach and takeoff operation. The normal stability augmentation system was not engaged during these maneuvers. Time-history records from the maneuvers were analyzed with a parameter estimation procedure to extract lateral-directional stability and control derivatives. For one aircraft configuration in which the USB flaps were deflected 50 deg, several maneuvers were performed to determine the effects of varying the average angle of attack, varying the thrust coefficient, and setting the airplane's upper surface spoilers at a 13 deg symmetrical bias angle . The effects on the lateral characteristics of deflecting the spoilers were rather small and generally favorable. The data indicate that for one test, conducted at low thrust (a thrust coefficient of 0.38), compared with results from tests at thrust coefficients of 0.77 and larger, there was a significant decrease in the lateral control effectiveness, in the yaw damping and in the directional derivative. The directional derivative was also decreased (by about 30 percent) when the average angle of attack of the test was increased from 3 to 16 deg.

Stephenson, Jack D.↗

A computer program for calculating symmetrical aerodynamic characteristics and lateral-directional stability derivatives of wing-body combinations with blowing jets

The necessary information for using a computer program to calculate the aerodynamic characteristics under symmetrical flight conditions and the lateral-directional stability derivatives of wing-body combinations with upper-surface-blowing (USB) or over-wing-blowing (OWB) jets are described. The following new features were added to the program: (1) a fuselage of arbitrary body of revolution has been included. The effect of wing-body interference can now be investigated, and (2) all nine lateral-directional stability derivatives can be calculated. The program is written in FORTRAN language and runs on CDC Cyber 175 and Honeywell 66/60 computers.

Lan, C. E.↗

X-29A Lateral-Directional Stability and Control Derivatives Extracted From High-Angle-of-Attack Flight Data

The lateral-directional stability and control derivatives of the X-29A number 2 are extracted from flight data over an angle-of-attack range of 4 degrees to 53 degrees using a parameter identification algorithm. The algorithm uses the linearized aircraft equations of motion and a maximum likelihood estimator in the presence of state and measurement noise. State noise is used to model the uncommanded forcing function caused by unsteady aerodynamics over the aircraft at angles of attack above 15 degrees. The results supported the flight-envelope-expansion phase of the X-29A number 2 by helping to update the aerodynamic mathematical model, to improve the real-time simulator, and to revise flight control system laws. Effects of the aircraft high gain flight control system on maneuver quality and the estimated derivatives are also discussed. The derivatives are plotted as functions of angle of attack and compared with the predicted aerodynamic database. Agreement between predicted and flight values is quite good for some derivatives such as the lateral force due to sideslip, the lateral force due to rudder deflection, and the rolling moment due to roll rate. The results also show significant differences in several important derivatives such as the rolling moment due to sideslip, the yawing moment due to sideslip, the yawing moment due to aileron deflection, and the yawing moment due to rudder deflection.

Iliff, Kenneth W.↗