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At least 91 records · Page 5

Limitations of the Pilot in Applying Forces to Airplane Controls

Measurements were made to determine the relative maximum forces a pilot can exert on the controls of an airplane with the view of obtaining systematic data upon which to base the location of controls within the cockpit and the design of the control surfaces. A cockpit model of generous proportions, capable of being rotated to any attitude, was built with the location of the control stick and rudder pedals adjustable over a wide range of positions with respect to the seat. Besides measurements of maximum forces obtainable with various control locations and with the pilot in several attitudes, estimates of forces within the range normally encountered in flight were made to gain an indication of the accuracy of estimating control forces. The maximum aileron forces measured were of the order of 90 pounds, maximum elevator 200 pounds, and maximum rudder 450 pounds. The average forces applied with the controls in the neutral position for the various cockpit attitudes were of the order of 35, 95, and 400 pounds, respectively, for the ailerons, elevators, and rudder.

Gough, M N↗

The Aerodynamic Forces and Moments Exerted on a Spinning Model of the NY-1 Airplane as Measured by the Spinning Balance

A preliminary investigation of the effects of changes in the elevator and rudder settings and of small changes in attitude upon the aerodynamic forces and moments exerted upon a spinning airplane was undertaken with the spinning balance in the 5-foot vertical tunnel of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. The tests were made on a 1/12-scale model of the ny-1 airplane. Data by which to fix the attitude, the radius of spin, and the rotational and air velocities were taken from recorded spins of the full-scale airplane. Two spinning conditions were investigated. All six components of the aerodynamic reaction were measured and are presented in coefficient form refereed to airplane axes. The results indicate that the change in yawing moment produced by the rudder with the elevator up was the only component of force or moment produced by the elevator and rudder that could not have been balanced in an actual spin by small changes in attitude and angular velocity.

Bamber, M J↗

Influence of Cut-outs in Elevator on the Static Longitudinal Stability and on the Static Elevator Effect

The rudder effect of a sport airplane at high angles of attack was to be improved. This made it necessary to make a cut-out in the center of the continuous elevator so as to enlarge the rudder downward. This cut-out which reduced the rudder area by 12.5 percent changed the static stability of the airplane as well as the elevator effect. Flight measurements showed the stability zone with locked elevator to be 1.8 percent less at full throttle and at idling to be 1.3 percent less than the mean wing chord. The effect of the cut-out on the control forces could not be determined owing to insufficient instrumental accuracy at the extremely low existing forces. The measurement of the static controllability resulting from the cut-out manifested an 18 percent drop in elevator effect at full throttle and a 10 to 20 percent drop at idling, depending on lift.

Biechteler, Curt↗

The D.V.L. Gliding-angle Control : W. Hubner Design

This report describes a device for arbitrary enlargement of the gliding angle of airplanes, especially of such with flat gliding angle and difficult landing characteristics. The D.V.L. gliding angle control (design, Hubner) permits a local interruption of the lift distribution along the span and consequently an increased induced drag. The mechanism comprises two wing rudders operated by lever from the pilot's cockpit. Said rudders are fitted on the top side of the wing near the leading edge. The displacement of these rudders results in a separation of the air flow on the top side of the wing.

Hubner, Walter↗

Physics of forebody flow control

Performance in the high angle of attack regime is required by many different types of aircraft. Military aircraft, such as fighters, utilize flight in this regime to improve maneuverability. Civilian aircraft, such as supersonic or hypersonic transports, will also need to operate in this regime during take off and landing, due to their small highly swept wings. Flight at high angles of attack is problematic due to the vortices being created on the nose of the aircraft. The vortices tend to become asymmetric and produce side forces. At the same time, the rudders are less effective because they are becoming immersed in the flow separating from the wings and fuselage. Consequently, the side force produced by the vortices on the nose tend to destabilize the aircraft. This situation may be corrected through the use of a forebody flow control system such as tangential slot blowing. In this concept, a jet is blown from the nose in an effort to alter the flow field around the nose and diminish the destabilizing side force. Alternately, the jet may be used to create a side force which could be used to augment the rudders. This would allow the size of the rudders to be decreased which would, in turn, diminish the cruise drag. Therefore, the use of a tangential slot blowing system has the potential for improving both the maneuver performance and the cruise performance of an aircraft. The present study was conducted to explore the physics of forebody flow control. The study consisted of two major thrusts: (1) exploration of forebody flow control with tangential slot blowing; (2) investigation of flow and field response to a general perturbation.

Font, Gabriel I.↗

An Advanced Buffet Load Alleviation System

This paper describes the development of an advanced buffet load alleviation (BLA) system that utilizes distributed piezoelectric actuators in conjunction with an active rudder to reduce the structural dynamic response of the F/A-18 aircraft vertical tails to buffet loads. The BLA system was defined analytically with a detailed finite-element-model of the tail structure and piezoelectric actuators. Oscillatory aerodynamics were included along with a buffet forcing function to complete the aeroservoelastic model of the tail with rudder control surface. Two single-input-single-output (SISO) controllers were designed, one for the active rudder and one for the active piezoelectric actuators. The results from the analytical open and closed loop simulations were used to predict the system performance. The objective of this BLA system is to extend the life of vertical tail structures and decrease their life-cycle costs. This system can be applied to other aircraft designs to address suppression of structural vibrations on military and commercial aircraft.

Burnham, Jay K.↗

Free-Spinning and Tumbling Tests of a 1/16-Scale Model of the McDonnell XP-85 Airplane

The teat results showed that with either of the three tail arrangements, the model usually spun in flat attitudes with oscillations about the lateral and longitudinal axes. In general, full reversal of the rudder pedals did not stop the spinning rotation. To make the model satisfactorily meet-the spin-recovery requirements it was found that installation of either a very large ventral fin (l7.9 square feet, full scale) below the tail or a somewhat smaller ventral fin and rudder (12.4 square feet, total . full-scale area) with a rudder throw of at least +/-22deg was required. Either a 21.3-foot tail parachute or a 6.4-foot wing-tip parachute (drag coefficient approximately 0.70) appears necessary as an emergency spin-recovery device during demonstration spins.

Klinar, Walter J.↗

Free-Spinning Characteristics of a 1/24-Scale Model of the Grumman F11F-1 Airplane, TED No. NACA AD 395

An investigation is being conducted in the Langley 20-foot free-spinning tunnel on a 1/24-scale model of the Grumman F11F-1 airplane to determine spin and recovery characteristics and the minimum-size parachute required to satisfactorily terminate the spin in an emergency. Results obtained to date are presented herein. Test results indicate that it may be difficult to obtain an erect or inverted spin on the airplane, but, if a spin is obtained, the spin will be very oscillatory and recovery from the developed erect spin by rudder reversal may not be possible. The lateral controls will have no appreciable effect on recoveries from erect.spins. Recovery from the inverted spin by merely neutralizing the rudder will be satisfactory. After recoveries by rudder reversal and after recoveries from spins without control movement (no spins), the model oftentimes rolled very rapidly about the X-axis. Based on limited preliminary tests made in this investigation to make the model recover satisfactorily, it appears that canards near the nose of the airplane or differentially operated horizontal tails may be utilized to provide rapid recoveries. The parachute test results indicate that an 11-foot-diameter (laid-out-flat) parachute with a drag coefficient of 0.650 (based on the laid- out-flat diameter) and with a towline length equal to the wing span is the minimum-size parachute required to satisfactorily terminate an erect or inverted spin in an emergency.

Bowman, James S., Jr.↗

Pilot-in-the-Loop Evaluation of a Yaw Rate to Throttle Feedback Control with Enhanced Engine Response

This paper describes the implementation and evaluation of a yaw rate to throttle feedback system designed to replace a damaged rudder. It can act as a Dutch roll damper and as a means to facilitate pilot input for crosswind landings. Enhanced propulsion control modes were implemented to increase responsiveness and thrust level of the engine, which impact flight dynamics and performance. Piloted evaluations were performed to determine the capability of the engines to substitute for the rudder function under emergency conditions. The results showed that this type of implementation is beneficial, but the engines' capability to replace the rudder is limited.

Litt, Jonathan S.↗

In-flight pilot evaluations of the flying qualities of a four-engine jet transport

The flying qualities of the CV-990 jet transport were evaluated over the normal operating flight envelope and in smooth air to provide baseline data for transport airplanes. Pilot ratings of airplane handling characteristics for specific test conditions and configurations from approach to normal cruise were compared with various flying qualities criteria. In general, the CV-990 flying qualities were evaluated as satisfactory, and the evaluations supported transport flying qualities criteria. The Dutch roll damping was rated more satisfactory than was predicted by the flying qualities criteria. The pilots found rudder coordination for the yaw generated during high roll rates very difficult. They preferred to control with roll and pitch controls and to use the yaw damper to provide the required rudder coordination.

Holleman, E. C.↗

Results of ground vibration tests on a YF-12 airplane

Ground vibration tests were conducted on a YF-12 airplane. To approximate a structural free-free boundary condition during the tests, each of the landing gears was supported on a support system designed to have a low natural frequency. The test equipment and the procedures used for the ground vibration tests are described. The results are presented in the form of frequency response data, measured mode lines, and elastic mode shapes for the wing/body, rudder, and fuselage ventral fin. In the frequency range between 3.4 cps and 28.8 cps, nine symmetrical wing/body modes, six antisymmetrical wing/body modes, two rudder modes, and one ventral fin mode were measured.

Wilson, R. J.↗

Wind tunnel test of the 0.015-scale Rockwell International space shuttle vehicle orbiter in the Ames 6 by 6 foot supersonic wind tunnel

Experimental investigations were performed in a 6- by 6-Foot Supersonic wind tunnel on a 0.015-scale model of the Rockwell International space shuttle vehicle (SSV) 2A orbiter. The purpose of the test was to investigate the longitudinal and lateral-directional characteristics of the vehicle. In addition, hinge moments were measured on the rudder and elevons. Buffet onset was investigated using wing trailing edge pressures and a strain gauge instrumented panel mounted in the wing. The model was tested through a Mach range from 0.6 to 2.0 at a constant unit Reynolds number of 2.5 million. Pitch runs were made at angles of attack from minus 2 deg to +26 deg with beta = 0 deg and 5 deg; yaw runs were made in the range from minus 5 deg to 10 deg of sideslip at angles of attack of 0 deg and 10 deg. Static pressures were measured at the fuselage base and the trailing edges of the wing and rudder. Boundary layer transition was fixed for some runs using distributed roughness strips.

Milam, M. D.↗

Experimental investigations of an 0.0405 scale Space Shuttle Configuration 3 orbiter to determine subsonic stability characteristics. Volume 1: OA21A

Experimental aerodynamic investigations were conducted in a low speed wind tunnel from May 21 through June 4 and from June 18 through June 25, 1973 on a 0.0405 scale -139B model Space Shuttle Vehicle (SSV) orbiter. The purpose of the test was to investigate the longitudinal and lateral-directional subsonic aerodynamic characteristics of the proposed PRR Space Shuttle orbiter. Emphasis was placed on component buildup effects, elevon, rudder, body flaps, rudder flare effectiveness, and canard and speed brake development. Angles of attack from -4 deg. to 24 deg. and angles of sideslip of -10 deg. to 10 deg. were tested. Static pressures were recorded on the base. The aerodynamic force balance results are presented in plotted and tabular form.

Cameron, B. W.↗

Experimental investigations of an 0.0405 scale space shuttle configuration 3 orbiter to determine subsonic stability characteristics (OA21A/OA21B), volume 2

Aerodynamic investigations were conducted in a low speed wind tunnel from June 18 through June 25, 1973 on a 0.0405 scale -139B model Space Shuttle Vehicle orbiter. The purpose of the test was to investigate the longitudinal and lateral-directional subsonic aerodynamic characteristics of the proposed PRR Space Shuttle Orbiter. Emphasis was placed on component buildup effects, elevon, rudder, body flaps, rudder flare effectiveness, and canard and speed brake development. Angles of attack from -4 to 24 and angles of sideslip of -10 to 10 were tested. Static pressures were recorded on the base. The aerodynamic force balance results are presented in plotted and tabular form.

Cameron, B. W.↗

A study of pilot behavior during controlling the lateral directional motion of airplanes in turbulent air

The pilot behaviors controlling the lateral directional motion of airplanes in turbulent air have been investigated by using the pilot transfer function which has been obtained by the analysis of flight test data. The pilot uses the gains for the aileron manipulation proportionally to bank angle so as to minimize r.m.s. of bank angle. The pilot rudder manipulations are done proportionally to rolling velocity, yawing velocity, and yaw angle. Namely, the pilot carries out the cross control for the rudder.

Beppu, G.↗

Simulator study of the effectiveness of an automatic control system designed to improve the high-angle-of-attack characteristics of a fighter airplane

A piloted, fixed-base simulation was conducted to study the effectiveness of some automatic control system features designed to improve the stability and control characteristics of fighter airplanes at high angles of attack. These features include an angle-of-attack limiter, a normal-acceleration limiter, an aileron-rudder interconnect, and a stability-axis yaw damper. The study was based on a current lightweight fighter prototype. The aerodynamic data used in the simulation were measured on a 0.15-scale model at low Reynolds number and low subsonic Mach number. The simulation was conducted on the Langley differential maneuvering simulator, and the evaluation involved representative combat maneuvering. Results of the investigation show the fully augmented airplane to be quite stable and maneuverable throughout the operational angle-of-attack range. The angle-of-attack/normal-acceleration limiting feature of the pitch control system is found to be a necessity to avoid angle-of-attack excursions at high angles of attack. The aileron-rudder interconnect system is shown to be very effective in making the airplane departure resistant while the stability-axis yaw damper provided improved high-angle-of-attack roll performance with a minimum of sideslip excursions.

Gilbert, W. P.↗

Spring control of wire harness loops

Negator spring control guides wire harness between movable and fixed structure. It prevents electrical wire harness loop from jamming or being severed as wire moves in response to changes in position of aircraft rudder. Spring-loaded coiled cable controls wire loop regardless of rudder movement.

Curcio, P. J.↗

Pilot opinions of sampling effects in lateral-directional control

Flight experiments with a microprocessor control system were conducted to determine the effects of variations in sampling parameters on several pilots' opinions of lateral-directional flying qualities. Princeton's variable-response research aircraft (VRA), which is equipped with a microprocessor based digital flight control system (Micro-DFCS), was the test vehicle. Two U.S. Navy pilots evaluated the effects of sampling rate, quantization, and pure time delay during tracking, approach, and landing. Aircraft carrier approach tasks were conducted using a Navy approach mirror. Acquisition and tracking of fixed objects on the ground provided additional information related to the Navy misson. The longitudinal controls were implemented with analog electronics, while the lateral-directional pilot inputs (stick and rudder) were fed to the Micro-DFCS, which commanded the ailerons and rudder. The conceptual relationship between the evaluation pilot's lateral-directional inputs, the flight computer, and the aircraft are illustrated.

Stengel, R. F.↗