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Transonic wind tunnel study of static longitudinal and lateral stability and control characteristics and drag rise of fighter aircraft
The engineering and fabrication of the test ACT system, produced in the third program element of the IAAC Project is documented. The system incorporates pitch-augmented stability and wing-load alleviation, plus full authority fly-by-wire control of the elevators. The pitch-augmented stability is designed to have reliability sufficient to allow flight with neutral or negative inherent longitudinal stability.
The aerodynamic ramifications of utilizing three lifting surfaces as opposed to the conventional or canard lifting configurations have been studied on a theoretical basis by previous researchers. This paper presents an experimental investigation of various configuration modifications for an unyawed typical business jet at a Reynolds number of 1.3 million. The three surface has better lift and high-lift drag characteristics than either the canard or tail-aft configurations, but the cruise drag is more. The induced drag at cruise is highest for the canard and lowest for the tail-aft configuration. The pitching moment characteristics are somewhat between those of the canard and tail-aft configurations. A decrease in gap adversely affects the pitching moment characteristics. A smaller stagger leads to better aerodynamic and stability characteristics. A decrease in span of the forward wing gives better cruise drag and longitudinal stability characteristics, but has adverse effects on high-lift drag. A variation in the incidence angles of either or both the forward and aft wings changes the zero-lift moments of the configuration, while marginally affecting overall lift and drag. At cruise, the lift to drag ratio is highest for the conventional and lowest for the three surface. For high lift conditions, the order is reversed.
This report deals with the calculation of the equilibrium, statistical stability, and damping of the tail plane. The author has simplified the present theory of longitudinal stability for the particular purpose of obtaining one definite coefficient characteristics of the effect of the tail plane. This coefficient is obtained by substituting certain aerodynamic characteristics and some dimensions of the airplane in a comparatively simple mathematical expression. Care has been taken to confine all aerodynamical information necessary for the calculation of the coefficient to the well-known curves representing the qualities of the wing section. This is done by making use of the present results of modern aerodynamics. All formulas and relations necessary for the calculation are contained in the paper. They give in some cases only an approximation of the real values. An example of calculation is added in order to illustrate the application of the method. The coefficient indicates not only whether the effect of the tail plane is great enough, but also whether it is not too great. It appears that the designer has to avoid a certain critical length of the fuselage, which inevitably gives rise to periodical oscillations of the airplane. The discussion also shows the way and in what direction to carry out experimental work.
The linear stability of numerical solutions to the quasicylindrical equations of motion for swirling flows is investigated. Initial conditions are derived from Batchelor's similarity solution for a trailing line vortex. The stability calculations are performed using a 2nd-order accurate finitedifference scheme on a staggered grid with the accuracy of the computed eigenvalues enhanced through Richardson extrapolation. The streamwise development of both viscous and inviscid instability modes is discussed for low and high swirl cases. The effect of adverse and favorable pressure gradients on the viscous stability of a longitudinal vortex is also investigated.
Tests were conducted in the 8 foot transonic pressure tunnel to obtain wind tunnel data for comparison with static stability and control parameters measured on the space shuttle orbiter approach and landing flight tests. The longitudinal stability, elevon effectiveness, lateral directional stability, and aileron effectiveness derivatives were determined from the wind tunnel data and compared with the flight test results. The comparison covers a range of angles of attack from approximately 2 deg to 10 deg at subsonic Mach numbers of 0.41 to 0.56. In general the wind tunnel results agreed well with the flight test results, indicating the wind tunnel data is applicable to the design of entry vehicles for subsonic speeds over the angle of attack range studied.
In the present state of the design of tailless airplanes, it appears that: (1) Sweepback affords a method of supplying tail length for directional and longitudinal stability and control and allows the utilization of a high-lift flap but introduces undersirable tip stalling tendencies that must be overcome before the advantages of sweepback can be realized. (2) The damping in pitching appears to have little effect on the longitudinal behavior of the airplane provided the static margin is never permitted to become negative. (3) The directional stability must be as great as for conventional airplanes if the same requirements regarding satisfactory stability and control characteristics are to be adhered to. (4) The influence of the lateral resistance and the damping in yawing on the flying qualities is somewhat obscure.
An exploratory piloted simulation was conducted to investigate the effects of the characteristics of helicopter flight control systems on instrument flight handling qualities. This joint FAA/NASA study was motivated by the need to improve instrument flight capability. A near-term objective is to assist in updating the airworthiness criteria for helicopter instrument flight. The experiment consisted of variations of single-rotor helicopter types and levels of stability and control augmentation systems (SCAS). These configurations were evaluated during an omnirange approach task under visual and instrument flight conditions. The levels of SCAS design included a simple rate damping system, collective decoupling plus rate damping, and an attitude command system with collective decoupling. A limited evaluation of stick force versus airspeed stability was accomplished. Some problems were experienced with control system mechanization which had a detrimental effect on longitudinal stability. Pilot ratings, pilot commentary, and performance data related to the task are presented.
The aerodynamic lift, drag, and pitching moment characteristics of four full scale, flexible wing, ultralight gliders were measured in the settling chamber of a low speed wind tunnel. The gliders were tested over a wide range of angle of attack and at two different velocities. Particular attention was devoted to the lift and pitching moment behavior at low and negative angles of attack because of the potential loss of longitudinal stability of flexible wing gliders in this regime. The test results were used to estimate the performance and longitudinal control characteristics of the gliders.
An investigation of the low-speed, power-off stability and control characteristics of a 1/10-scale model of the Convair YF-102 airplane has been made in the Langley free-flight tunnel. The model was flown over a lift-coefficient range from 0.5 to the stall in its basic configuration and with several modifications involving leading-edge slats and increases in vertical-tail size. Only relatively low-altitude conditions were simulated and no attempt was made to determine the effect of freeing the controls. The longitudinal stability characteristics of the model were considered satisfactory for all conditions investigated. The lateral stability characteristics were considered satisfactory for the basic configuration over the speed range investigated except near the stall, where large values of static directional instability caused the model to be directionally divergent. The addition of leading-edge slats or an 8-percent increase in vertical-tail area increased the angle of attack at which the model became directionally divergent. The use of leading-edge slats in combination with a 40-percent increase in vertical-tail size eliminated the directional divergence and produced satisfactory stability characteristics through the stall. The longitudinal and lateral control characteristics were generally satisfactory. Although the adverse sideslip characteristics for the model were considered satisfactory over the angle-of-attack range, analysis indicates that the adverse sideslip characteristics of the airplane may be objectionable at high angles of attack.
The results of wind tunnel tests at NASA Langley targeted at the performance and configurational characteristics of 0.1 and 0.13 scale model spanwise blowing (SWB) jet wing concepts are reported. The concept involves redirection of engine compressor bleed air to provide SWB at the fuselage-wing juncture near the wing leading edge. The tests covered the orientation of the outer panel nozzles, the effects of SWB operation on the performance of leading and trailing edge flaps and the effects of SWB on lateral stability. The trials were run at low speeds and angles of attack from 24-45 deg (landing). Both lift and longitudinal stability improved with the SWB, stall and leading edge vortex breakdown were delayed and performance increased with the SWB rate. Lateral stability was degraded below 20 deg angle of attack while instabilities were delayed above 20 deg due to roll damping.
In the Task I portion of this NASA research grant, configuration development and experimental investigations have been conducted on a series of pneumatic high-lift and control surface devices applied to a generic High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT) model configuration to determine their potential for improved aerodynamic performance, plus stability and control of higher performance aircraft. These investigations were intended to optimize pneumatic lift and drag performance; provide adequate control and longitudinal stability; reduce separation flowfields at high angle of attack; increase takeoff/climbout lift-to-drag ratios; and reduce system complexity and weight. Experimental aerodynamic evaluations were performed on a semi-span HSCT generic model with improved fuselage fineness ratio and with interchangeable plain flaps, blown flaps, pneumatic Circulation Control Wing (CCW) high-lift configurations, plain and blown canards, a novel Circulation Control (CC) cylinder blown canard, and a clean cruise wing for reference. Conventional tail power was also investigated for longitudinal trim capability. Also evaluated was unsteady pulsed blowing of the wing high-lift system to determine if reduced pulsed mass flow rates and blowing requirements could be made to yield the same lift as that resulting from steady-state blowing. Depending on the pulsing frequency applied, reduced mass flow rates were indeed found able to provide lift augmentation at lesser blowing values than for the steady conditions. Significant improvements in the aerodynamic characteristics leading to improved performance and stability/control were identified, and the various components were compared to evaluate the pneumatic potential of each. Aerodynamic results were provided to the Georgia Tech Aerospace System Design Lab. to conduct the companion system analyses and feasibility study (Task 2) of theses concepts applied to an operational advanced HSCT aircraft. Results and conclusions from these experimental evaluations are presented herein, as are recommendations for further development and follow-on investigations. Also provided as an Appendix for reference are the basic results from the previous pneumatic HSCT investigations.
Estimates of the static stick-fixed stability and control characteristics of the Consolidated Vultee model 240 airplane are presented in this report. The estimates are based on tests of a 0.092-scale powered model in the 10-foot wind tunnel of the Guggenheim Aeronautical Laboratory of the California Institute of Technology. Results of the analysis are evaluated in terms of the Army specifications for stability and control characteristics which are more specific and, in general, equal to or more rigid than the Civil Aeronautics Administration requirements. The stick-fixed stability and control characteristics of the Consolidated Vultee model 240 were found to be satisfactory except for the following: 1) Marginal longitudinal stability in the landing approach (flaps 30 deg, 50% minimum continuous power) with aft center of gravity (31% M.A.C.); 2) Marginal rudder control to hold zero sideslip in a climb after take-off with asymmetric power (flaps 30 deg, left engine inoperative, right engine delivering take-off power) with maximum rudder throw limited to +/- 18 deg; 3) Marginal dihedral effect with flaps 40 deg and engines delivering maximum continuous power.
Wind-tunnel tests of a model of an advanced canard configuration designed for general aviation were conducted in the Langley 30- by 60-Foot Tunnel. The objective of the tests was to determine the aerodynamic stability and control characteristics of the configuration for a large range of angles of attack and sideslip at several power conditions. Analysis of the aerodynamic data indicates significant effects of power and of center-of-gravity location. For forward center-of-gravity locations, the configuration had extremely stall-resistant stability and control characteristics. For aft center-of-gravity locations and high-power conditions, the combined effects of increased pitch control and reduced longitudinal stability overpowered the stall resistance provided by the canard, which led to a high-angle-of-attack, deep-stall trim condition. Other aspects of the aerodynamic characteristics studied include the following: flow-visualization study, effect of negative angles of attack, lateral-directional characteristics, and comparison of the stall characteristics with another canard configuration.
Tests in Langley pressure tunnel of model XA-26 bomber were compared with those of A-26B (twin-engine attack bomber) and showed that static longitudinal stability, indicated by elevator-fixed neutral points, and variation of elevator deflection in straight and turning flight were good. Airplane possessed improved stability at low speeds which was attributed to pronounced stalling at root of production wing. At rudder-force reversal at speeds higher than those in flight tests, agreement in rudder-fixed and rudder-free static directional stability was good. Hinge moment obtained at zero sideslip was satisfactory for determining aileron forces in sideslip.
Computer programs for calculating the stability characteristics of a balloon tethered in a steady wind are presented. Equilibrium conditions, characteristic roots, and modal ratios are calculated for a range of discrete values of velocity for a fixed tether-line length. Separate programs are used: (1) to calculate longitudinal stability characteristics, (2) to calculate lateral stability characteristics, (3) to plot the characteristic roots versus velocity, (4) to plot the characteristic roots in root-locus form, (5) to plot the longitudinal modes of motion, and (6) to plot the lateral modes for motion. The basic equations, program listings, and the input and output data for sample cases are presented, with a brief discussion of the overall operation and limitations. The programs are based on a linearized, stability-derivative type of analysis, including balloon aerodynamics, apparent mass, buoyancy effects, and static forces which result from the tether line.
To summarize the significant highlights in this report: (1) Data quality, determined by multiple repeat runs performed on the TCA baseline configuration, and long-term repeatability, determined by comparing baseline Reference H data from this test to a previous test, have been shown to be good. (2) The longitudinal stability of the TCA is more non-linear than for the Reference H, and while it is similar at normal lift values, the TCA has considerably more pitch-up at higher lift. (3) Longitudinal control effectiveness of the TCA is similar to the Reference H and the ratio of elevator effectiveness to horizontal tail effectiveness is approximately 0.3. 4) The directional stability of the TCA is improved relative to Reference H at higher angles-of attack. The chine is effective for improving directional stability. (5) The directional control effectiveness 'of the TCA rudder is the same as that of the Reference H rudder at low angles-of-attack, after taking factors, such as number of rudder panels deflected and vertical tail volume into account. However, rudder effectiveness was shown to be reduced at higher angles-of-attack. (6) The lateral stability was shown to be reduced relative to the Reference H, which may be beneficial at low speeds for alleviating lateral control saturation. (7) Lateral control effectiveness for the TCA was shown to be similar to the Reference H for negative trailing-edge flap deflections and was reduced by approximately 25% for positive trailing-edge flap deflections.
To summarize the significant highlights in this report: (1) Data quality, determined by multiple repeat runs performed on the TCA baseline configuration, and long-term repeatability, determined by comparing baseline Reference H data from this test to a previous test, have been shown to be good. (2) The longitudinal stability of the TCA is more non-linear than for the Reference H, and while it is similar at normal lift values, the TCA has considerably more pitch-up at higher lift. (3) Longitudinal control effectiveness of the TCA is similar to the Reference H and the ratio of elevator effectiveness to horizontal tail effectiveness is approximately 0.3. (4) The directional stability of the TCA is improved relative to Reference H at higher angles-of attack. The chine is effective for improving directional stability.