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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1975

Psychological aspects of aeronautical flight simulation

Attention is given to the class of ground based devices which have been used by scientists, engineers, and test pilots to evaluate current or future aircraft systems. The characteristics of a flight simulator and its major subsystems are considered, taking into account simulator cockpits, visual scene attachments, aspects of visual attachment fidelity, simulator motion systems, motion system fidelity, and simulation computer systems. Questions related to psychological research and simulation are examined. Simulator validity criteria are discussed along with problems of subsystem fidelity.

Huff, E. M.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Physiologic and anti-G suit performance data from YF-16 flight tests

Biomedical data were collected during high-G portions of 11 YF-16 test flights. Test pilots monitored revealed increased respiratory rate and volume, decreased tidal volume, and increased heart rate at higher G levels, with one pilot exhibiting various cardiac arrhythmias. Anti-G suit inflation and pressurization lags varied inversely with G-onset rate, and suit pressurization slope was near the design value.

Gillingham, K. K.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Equivalent constant-amplitude concept for crack growth under spectrum loading

To simplify crack-growth calculations, an equivalent constant-amplitude concept is developed based on the crack-closure phenomenon and on results of pilot tests that showed that the crack-opening load remained essentially constant while cracks grew under repeating random-load sequences containing several thousand load peaks. An equation of crack growth equivalence resulting from derivations based on the crack closure crack growth law is obtained and used to determine a relationship between an equivalent number of cycles of constant-amplitude loading and the distribution of the random loads, the exponent in the crack growth law, and the ratio of the crack-opening load to the maximum load. The validity of the concept is tested experimentally on six different random-load sequences. Good agreement is found between experimental results and theoretical predictions.

Elber, W.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Public service communications

The purpose of the paper is to construct, for detailed analysis, satellite and terrestrial communications delivery system models. Attention is given to the Public Service Communications Delivery System Architectural Study, that takes advantage of the extensive experience which exists among the public service experimenters. The Application Test Pilot is examined, which is a program designed to help awareness, in a practical sense, of the technology available and by the users innovative talents, adapts the technology to solve their problems.

Whalen, A. A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

LACIE - An application of meteorology for United States and foreign wheat assessment

This paper describes the overall Large Area Crop Inventory Experiment technical approach utilizing the global weather-reporting network and the Landsat satellite to make a quasi-operational application of existing research results, and the accomplishments of this cooperative experiment in utilizing the weather information. Global weather data were utilized in preparing timely yield estimates for selected areas of the U.S. Great Plains, the U.S.S.R. and Canada. Additionally, wheat yield models were developed and pilot tested for Brazil, Australia, India and Argentina. The results of the work show that heading dates for wheat in North America can be predicted with an average absolute error of about 5 days for winter wheat and 4 days for spring wheat. Independent tests of wheat yield models over a 10-year period for the U.S. Great Plains produced a root-mean-square error of 1.12 quintals per hectare (q/ha) while similar tests in the U.S.S.R. produced an error of 1.31 q/ha. Research designed to improve the initial capability is described as is the rationale for further evolution of a capability to monitor global climate and assess its impact on world food supplies.

Hill, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Application of remote sensing for California irrigated lands assessment

Recognizing the need for land use data as an input to State water planning, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and its predecessor agencies have conducted land use surveys since the late 1940's. In 1957 the California Water Plan was established. A statewide assessment is compiled every four to five years to review overall water resource conditions. Satellite remote sensing imagery, such as available from Landsat, has been recognized by DWR as a potential source of land use data. Analysis of Landsat imagery in connection with 'calibrating' data from low altitude photography and/or field checks can provide an economical means for providing a large scale, single year base inventory of general land use. The purpose of the Applications Pilot Test is to develop and document the use of Landsat for such an inventory. Towards the overall goal of developing an operational methodology that DWR could cost effectively implement four tasks have been specified.

Tinney, L.↗
NASA NTRS1981

An inventory of California's irrigated land

Currently in the fourth year of its applications pilot test project to assess irrigated lands for water management, California officials found that the performance goal of plus or minus 5% at the 95% confidence level by each of the state's 10 major hydrologic basins was bettered in all but a few cases using manual analysis techniques for estimation. The process used was photointerpretation of enlarged LANDSAT scenes (1:150,000 scale), adjusting the determined acreage using a regression estimator and ground truth data from 637 sample cells. Sample cells were allocated to areas stratified on the basis of field size and selected crop types. Interpretation of three dates of imagery was required to span the complete time during which irrigated crops are grown in California. The registration of multitemporal data and classification procedures for estimating irrigated land using digital techniques are being studied as part of the second task in the project.

Sawyer, G. B.↗
NASA NTRS1981

AgRISTARS: Renewable resources inventory. Land information support system implementation plan and schedule

The planning and scheduling of the use of remote sensing and computer technology to support the land management planning effort at the national forests level are outlined. The task planning and system capability development were reviewed. A user evaluation is presented along with technological transfer methodology. A land management planning pilot test of the San Juan National Forest is discussed.

Yao, S. S.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The X-14 - 24 years of V/STOL flight testing

The X-14 V/STOL research aircraft made its first free-hover flight as a proof-of-concept test-bed on Feb. 19, 1957. With the exception of two subsequent modification periods (to X-14A and X-14B) this V/STOL 'workhorse' has been on continuous flight-test status as a research aircraft and flying classroom. The paper presents some of the highlights of its memorable 24-year flight-test career with special emphasis on projects which have contributed to V/STOL technology and on the test pilots who made it happen.

Gerdes, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The evaluation of OSTA's APT and ASVT programs

The results of an evaluation of NASA's Applications Pilot Test (APT) and Applications System Verification and Transfer (AVST) Programs are presented. These programs sponsor cooperative projects between NASA and potential users of remote sensing (primarily LANDSAT) technology from federal and state government and the private sector. Fifteen specific projects, seven APT's and eight ASVT's, are examined as mechanisms for technology development, test, and transfer by comparing their results against stated objectives. Interviews with project managers from NASA field centers and user agency representatives provide the basis for project evaluation from NASA and user perspectives.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1983

NASA-FAA helicopter Microwave Landing System curved path flight test

An ongoing series of joint NASA/FAA helicopter Microwave Landing System (MLS) flight tests was conducted at Ames Research Center. This paper deals with tests done from the spring through the fall of 1983. This flight test investigated and developed solutions to the problem of manually flying curved-path and steep glide slope approaches into the terminal area using the MLS and flight director guidance. An MLS-equipped Bell UH-1H helicopter flown by NASA test pilots was used to develop approaches and procedures for flying these approaches. The approaches took the form of Straight-in, U-turn, and S-turn flightpaths with glide slopes of 6 deg, 9 deg, and 12 deg. These procedures were evaluated by 18 pilots from various elements of the helicopter community, flying a total of 221 hooded instrument approaches. Flying these curved path and steep glide slopes was found to be operationally acceptable with flight director guidance using the MLS.

Swenson, H. N.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Ground-simulation investigation of VTOL instrument flight rules airworthiness criteria

A two-part ground-simulation investigation of VTOL terminal-area operations, conducted as part of a joint NASA/FAA program to develop airworthiness criteria for this class of vehicle, is described. The baseline vehicle selected for the simulations was a generalized version of the XV-15 tilt-rotor mathematical model, which was modified to permit generic variations in forces or moments or both with power or configuration changes. Additionally, changes to wing area and rotor-blade chord were considered as a means of modifying the allowable thrust-angle versus speed relationships (the conversion corridor). The Vertical Motion Simulator at Ames Research Center was used in the experiment. Four engineering test pilots conducted over 200 piloted evaluations examining the influence of the experimental variables on their ability to perform terminal-area operations.

Lebacqz, J. V.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Flight testing the fixed-wing configuration of the Rotor Systems Research Aircraft (RSRA)

The Rotor Systems Research Aircraft (RSRA) is a unique research aircraft designed to flight test advanced helicopter rotor system. Its principal flight test configuration is as a compound helicopter. The fixed wing configuration of the RSRA was primarily considered an energy fly-home mode in the event it became necessary to sever an unstable rotor system in flight. While it had always been planned to flight test the fixed wing configuration, the selection of the RSRA as the flight test bed for the X-wing rotor accelerated this schedule. This paper discusses the build-up to, and the test of, the RSRA fixed wing configuration. It is written primarily from the test pilot's perspective.

Hall, G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1984

NASA-FAA helicopter Microwave Landing System curved path flight test

An ongoing series of joint NASA/FAA helicopter Microwave Landing System (MLS) flight tests was conducted at Ames Research Center. This paper deals with tests done from the spring through the fall of 1983. This flight test investigated and developed solutions to the problem of manually flying curved-path and steep glide slope approaches into the terminal area using the MLS and flight director guidance. An MLS-equipped Bell UH-1H helicopter flown by NASA test pilots was used to develop approaches and procedures for flying these approaches. The approaches took the form of Straight-in, U-turn, and S-turn flightpaths with glide slopes of 6 deg, 9 deg, and 12 deg. These procedures were evaluated by 18 pilots from various elements of the helicopter community, flying a total of 221 hooded instrument approaches. Flying these curved path and steep glide slopes was found to be operationally acceptable with flight director guidance using the MLS.

Swenson, H. N.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Flight testing the fixed wing configuration of the Rotor Systems Research Aircraft (RSRA)

The Rotor Systems Research Aircraft (RSRA) is a unique research aircraft designed to flight test advanced helicopter rotor system. Its principal flight test configuration is as a compound helicopter. The fixed wing configuration of the RSRA was primarily considered an energy fly-home mode in the event it became necessary to sever an unstable rotor system in flight. While it had always been planned to flight test the fixed wing configuraion, the selection of the RSRA as the flight test bed for the x-wing rotor accelerated this schedule. This paper discusses the build-up to, and the test of, the RSRA fixed wing configuration. It is written primarily from the test pilot's perspective.

Hall, G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Neurophysiological predictors of quality of performance

New signal processing technologies have been developed to measure spatiotemporal neurocognitive processes of the human brain. In one experiment, application of these technologies produced measurements of distributed preparatory sets which predicted the accuracy of subsequent performance. In another experiment, neuroelectric changes were found in Air Force test pilots during the incipient stages of fatigue before behavior had severely degraded.

Gevins, Alan S.↗
NASA NTRS1987

European/U.S. cooperative flight testing - Some food for thought

Increasing numbers of flight test teams are participating in cooperative European/U.S. flight test programs due to the growth in international aircraft R&D. Preparing for and participating in these overseas assignments can be complicated by such factors as language barriers, unfamiliar flight test procedures, lack of adequate flight experience and unexpected weather trends. A visiting test pilot's checklist is presented which outlines the tasks of the various phases (i.e., concept, planning, preparation, execution, analysis, and data presentation).

Gerdes, Ronald M.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Meeting the challenges with the Douglas Aircraft Company Aeroelastic Design Optimization Program (ADOP)

An overview of the Aeroelastic Design Optimization Program (ADOP) at the Douglas Aircraft Company is given. A pilot test program involving the animation of mode shapes with solid rendering as well as wire frame displays, a complete aircraft model of a high-altitude hypersonic aircraft to test ADOP procedures, a flap model, and an aero-mesh modeler for doublet lattice aerodynamics are discussed.

Rommel, Bruce A.↗