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Results for “AIRPLANES, CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN”

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 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1992

A revolutionary approach to composite construction and flight management systems for small, general aviation airplanes

The design studies for two composite general aviation airplanes are presented. The main consideration for both of the designs was to avoid the typical 'metal replacement' philosophy that has hindered the widespread use of composites in general aviation aircraft. The first design is for a low wing aircraft based on the Smith Aircraft Corporation GT-3 Global Trainer. The second aircraft is a composite version of the Cessna 152. The project was conducted as a graduate level design class under the auspices of the KU/NASA/USRA Advanced Design Program in aeronautics. The results obtained from the Fall semester of 1991 and the Spring semester of 1992 are presented.

Roskam, Jan↗
NASA NTRS1950

Ditching Investigation of a 1/15-Scale Model of the Convair-Liner Airplane

A ditching investigation of a model of the Convair-Liner airplane was made to observe the behavior and determine the safest procedure for making an emergency water landing. The ditching model was designed and constructed by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. Design information on the airplane was furnished by the Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation. A three-view drawing of the airplane is shown. The investigation was made in calm water at the Langley tank no. 2 monorail.

Fisher, Lloyd J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Design of fuselage shapes for natural laminar flow

Recent technological advances in airplane construction techniques and materials allow for the production of aerodynamic surfaces without significant waviness and roughness, permitting long runs of natural laminar flow (NLF). The present research effort seeks to refine and validate computational design tools for use in the design of axisymmetric and nonaxisymmetric natural-laminar-flow bodies. The principal task of the investigation involves fuselage body shaping using a computational design procedure. Analytical methods were refined and exploratory calculations conducted to predict laminar boundary-layer on selected body shapes. Using a low-order surface-singularity aerodynamic analysis program, pressure distribution, boundary-layer development, transition location and drag coefficient have been obtained for a number of body shapes including a representative business-aircraft fuselage. Extensive runs of laminar flow were predicted in regions of favorable pressure gradient on smooth body surfaces. A computational design procedure was developed to obtain a body shape with minimum drag having large extent of NLF.

Dodbele, S. S.↗
NASA NTRS1931

Airplane landing gear

This report presents an investigation of the design and construction of various types of landing gears. Some of the items discussed include: chassises, wheels, shock absorbers (rubber disk and rubber cord), as well as oleopneumatic shock absorbers. Various types of landing gears are also discussed such as the Messier, Bendix, Vickers, and Bleriot.

Maiorca, Salvatore↗
NASA NTRS1975

Possibilities and goals for the future SST

An approach directed to defining requirements that would make the development of the SST a worth-while program for the USA is presented. A detailed technical discussion of possible advances in propulsion, aerodynamics, structural construction and design and operational methods is presented. The impact on airplane performances of such improvements is evaluated. The ecological problems related to air pollution and sonic boom are discussed and possible solutions are described. It is concluded that the technical advances required for the development of an efficient economical competitive SST are within reach.

Ferri, A.↗
NASA NTRS1926

Recent experiments with large seaplanes

This report covers the following aspects of large seaplane design and construction: heavy wing loading; propeller design; how the motion of the airplane is affected by increasing the dihedral angle; power plants; floats; and the hull.

SEAPLANES - DESIGN↗
NASA NTRS1975

The Dynairship

A feasibility analysis for the construction and use of a combination airplane-airship named 'Dynairship' is undertaken. Payload capacities, fuel consumption, and the structural design of the craft are discussed and compared to a conventional commercial aircraft (a Boeing 747). Cost estimates of construction and operation of the craft are also discussed. The various uses of the craft are examined (i.e, in police work, materials handling, and ocean surveillance), and aerodynamic configurations and photographs are shown.

Miller, W. M., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1983

A fuel-efficient cruise performance model for general aviation piston engine airplanes

A fuel-efficient cruise performance model which facilitates maximizing the specific range of General Aviation airplanes powered by spark-ignition piston engines and propellers is presented. Airplanes of fixed design only are considered. The uses and limitations of typical Pilot Operating Handbook cruise performance data, for constructing cruise performance models suitable for maximizing specific range, are first examined. These data are found to be inadequate for constructing such models. A new model of General Aviation piston-prop airplane cruise performance is then developed. This model consists of two subsystem models: the airframe-propeller-atmosphere subsystem model; and the engine-atmosphere subsystem model. The new model facilitates maximizing specific range; and by virtue of its implicity and low volume data storge requirements, appears suitable for airborne microprocessor implementation.

Parkinson, R. C. H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Practical gust load alleviation and flutter suppression control laws based on a LQG methodology

A modified linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) synthesis procedure has been used to design low-order robust multiloop controllers for a flexible airplane. The introduction of properly constructed fictitious Gauss-Markov processes in the control loops allowed meeting classical frequency-domain stability criteria using the direct synthesis procedures of modern time-domain control theory. Model reduction was used to simplify the control laws to the point where they could be easily implemented on onboard flight computers. These control laws provided excellent gust load and flutter mode control with good stability margins and compared very favorably to other control laws synthesized by the classical root-locus technique.

Gangsaas, D.↗
NASA NTRS1937

The Strength of Shell Bodies : Theory and Practice

The monocoque form of airplane construction has introduced a number of new problems to the stress calculator and the designer. The problems for the stress calculator fall into two groups: the determination of the stress condition (shell statics) and the determination of the failing strength (shell strength). The present report summarizes the most important theoretical and experimental results on this subject.

Ebner, H↗
NASA NTRS1983

Solar powered aircraft

A cruciform wing structure for a solar powered aircraft is disclosed. Solar cells are mounted on horizontal wing surfaces. Wing surfaces with spanwise axis perpendicular to surfaces maintain these surfaces normal to the Sun's rays by allowing aircraft to be flown in a controlled pattern at a large bank angle. The solar airplane may be of conventional design with respect to fuselage, propeller and tail, or may be constructed around a core and driven by propeller mechanisms attached near the tips of the airfoils.

Phillips, W. H.↗
NASA NTRS1956

The High-Speed Longitudinal Stability and Control of the Bell P-39N-1 Airplane as Calculated from Propeller-Off Tests of a 0.35-Scale Model

This report presents the results of tests of a .35-scale model of the Bell P-39N-1 airplane. Included are the longitudinal-stability and -control characteristics of the airplane as indicated by tests of the model equipped with each of two different sets of elevators. The results indicate good longitudinal stability and control throughout the speed range encounterable in flight. The variation of estimated stick force with speed was less when the model was equipped with elevators constructed to the theoretical design dimensions than when equipped with elevators as built to scale from measurements of the corresponding parts of the actual airplane. The predicted stick forces required to produce the normal accelerations attainable in flight are within the limits specified by the Army Air Forces.

Robinson, Robert C.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Development of a simple, self-contained flight test data acquisition system

This paper describes a simple, self-contained flight test data acquisition system. The system makes use of the latest sensor and microprocessor technology available, to reduce overall system costs. Coupled with this is the use of modern control theory techniques allowing minimization of data requirements, as well as flight time requirements. Capability of the system includes primarily stability and performance analysis of general aviation airplanes, although system versatility has been designed into the package. Presented are details of the prototype system constructed, as well as details of the data reduction technique utilized. Preliminary results of the flight test program have also been included which demonstrate the capability of this system.

Renz, R. R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1947

The High-Speed Longitudinal Stability and Control of the Bell P-39N-1 Airplane as Calculated from Propeller-Off Tests of a 0.35-Scale Model

This report presents the result of tests of a 0.35-scale model of the Bell P-39N-l airplane. Included are the longitudinal-stability and - control characteristics of the airplane as indicated by tests of the model equipped with each of two different sets of elevators. The results indicate good longitudinal stability and control throughout the speed range encounterable in flight. The variation of estimated stick force with speed was less when the model was equipped with elevators constructed to the theoretical design dimensions than when equipped with elevators as built to scale from measurements of the corresponding-parts of the actual airplane. The predicted stick forces required to produce the normal accelerations attainable in flight are within the limits specified by the Army Air Forces.

Robinson, Robert C.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Flight test results for several light, canard-configured airplanes

Brief flight evaluations of two different, light, composite constructed, canard and winglet configured airplanes were performed to assess their handling qualities; one airplane was a single engine, pusher design and the other a twin engine, push-pull configuration. An emphasis was placed on the slow speed/high angle of attack region for both airplanes and on the engine-out regime for the twin. Mission suitability assessment included cockpit and control layout, ground and airborne handling qualities, and turbulence response. Very limited performance data was taken. Stall/spin tests and the effects of laminar flow loss on performance and handling qualities were assessed on an extended range, single engine pusher design.

Brown, Philip W.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Japanese plan for SSF utilization

The Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) program has made significant progress. The JEM preliminary design review was completed in July 1992; construction of JEM operation facilities has begun; and the micro-G airplane, drop shaft, and micro-G experiment rocket are all operational. The national policy for JEM utilization was also established. The Space Experiment Laboratory (SEL) opened in June '92 and will function as a user support center. Eight JEM multiuser facilities are in phase B, and scientific requirements are being defined for 17 candidate multiuser facilities. The National Joint Research Program is about to start. Precursor missions and early Space Station utilization activities are being defined. This paper summarizes the program in outline and graphic form.

Mizuno, Toshio↗