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Results for “T-33 AIRCRAFT”

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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1975

Analysis of wake vortex flight test data behind a T-33 aircraft

Measurements of the vortex system behind a T-33 aircraft were obtained by a Learjet equipped with a boom carrying a three-wire, hot-wire anemometry probe and other instrumentation. Analysis of the measurements using a computerized geometric method indicated the vortices had a core radius of approximately 0.11 meter with a maximum velocity of 25 meters per second. The hot-wire anemometer was found to be a practical and sensitive instrument for determining in-flight vortex velocities. No longitudinal instabilities, buoyant effects or vortex breakdowns were evident in the data which included vortex wake cross sections from 0.24 to 5.22 kilometers behind the T-33.

Kuhn, G. D.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Transient Analysis of Thermal Protection System for X-33 Aircraft using MSC/NASTRAN

X-33 is an advanced technology demonstrator vehicle for the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) program. The thermal protection system (TPS) for the X-33 is composed of complex layers of materials to protect internal components, while withstanding severe external temperatures induced by aerodynamic heating during high speed flight. It also serves as the vehicle aeroshell in some regions using a stand-off design. MSC/NASTRAN thermal analysis capability was used to predict transient temperature distribution (within the TPS) throughout a mission, from launch through the cool-off period after landing. In this paper, a typical analysis model, representing a point on the vehicle where the liquid oxygen tank is closest to the outer mold line, is described. The maximum temperature difference between the outer mold line and the internal surface of the liquid oxygen tank can exceed 1500 F. One dimensional thermal models are used to select the materials and determine the thickness of each layer for minimum weight while insuring that all materials remain within the allowable temperature range. The purpose of working with three dimensional (3D) comprehensive models using MSC/NASTRAN is to assess the 3D radiation effects and the thermal conduction heat shorts of the support fixtures.

Miura, Hirokazu↗
NASA NTRS1982

Effects of higher order control systems on aircraft approach and landing longitudinal handling qualities

An investigation of approach and landing longitudinal flying qualities, based on data generated using a variable stability NT-33 aircraft combined with significant control system dynamics is described. An optimum pilot lead time for pitch tracking, flight path angle tracking, and combined pitch and flight path angle tracking tasks is determined from a closed loop simulation using integral squared error (ISE) as a performance measure. Pilot gain and lead time were varied in the closed loop simulation of the pilot and aircraft to obtain the best performance for different control system configurations. The results lead to the selection of an optimum lead time using ISE as a performance criterion. Using this value of optimum lead time, a correlation is then found between pilot rating and performance with changes in the control system and in the aircraft dynamics. It is also shown that pilot rating is closely related to pilot workload which, in turn, is related to the amount of lead which the pilot must generate to obtain satisfactory response. The results also indicate that the pilot may use pitch angle tracking for the approach task and then add flight path angle tracking for the flare and touchdown.

Pasha, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Flight experiments to determine visibility requirements for approaches and landings.

Some of the effects of horizontal visual restriction on the front cockpit of a T-33 aircraft were studied. These studies are pertinent to the establishment of guidelines that will be used in canopy design for limited visibility situations. Results of the study revealed that runway extension lines are helpful for restricted visibility situations. The superiority of a 300-foot runway over a 200-foot runway was greater than expected from geometric considerations. It was also shown that practice learning has a noticeable effect on performance. Finally, visibility restrictions that force a pilot into shallow glides should be avoided, and the available visibility should be sufficient to provide adequate information so that the pilot can solve the lateral-directional and pitch tasks simultaneously.

Carpenter, R.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Wave patterns and clear air turbulence.

Two cases of CAT in which the turbulence was apparently associated with Kelvin-Helmholtz billows are discussed. In the first case, long waves embedded in the mean flow appeared to modify a deep shear layer and produce local regions of enhanced shear, which subsequently gave rise to billow development. In the second case, the billows formed near the lower boundary of a strong baroclinic zone. In both cases, moderate CAT was encountered by T-33 aircraft, and the clear air structures were discernible with a sensitive 10.7-cm wavelength radar.

Hardy, K. R.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Assessment of a wake vortex flight test program

A proposed flight test program to measure the characteristics of wake vortices behind a T-33 aircraft was investigated. A number of facets of the flight tests were examined to define the parameters to be measured, the anticipated vortex characteristics, the mutual interference between the probe aircraft and the wake, the response of certain instruments to be used in obtaining measurements, the effect of condensation on the wake vortices, and methods of data reduction. Recommendations made as a result of the investigation are presented.

Spangler, S. B.↗
NASA NTRS1982

An in-flight investigation of pilot-induced oscillation suppression filters during the fighter approach and landing task

An investigation of pilot-induced oscillation suppression (PIOS) filters was performed using the USAF/Flight Dynamics Laboratory variable stability NT-33 aircraft, modified and operated by Calspan. This program examined the effects of PIOS filtering on the longitudinal flying qualities of fighter aircraft during the visual approach and landing task. Forty evaluations were flown to test the effects of different PIOS filters. Although detailed analyses were not undertaken, the results indicate that PIOS filtering can improve the flying qualities of an otherwise unacceptable aircraft configuration (Level 3 flying qualities). However, the ability of the filters to suppress pilot-induced oscillations appears to be dependent upon the aircraft configuration characteristics. Further, the data show that the filters can adversely affect landing flying qualities if improperly designed. The data provide an excellent foundation from which detail analyses can be performed.

Bailey, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

An in-flight investigation of pilot-induced oscillation suppression filters during the fighter approach and landing task

An investigation of pilot-induced oscillation suppression (PIOS) filters was performed using the USAF/Flight Dynamics Laboratory variable stability NT-33 aircraft, modified and operated by Calspan. This program examined the effects of PIOS filtering on the longitudinal flying qualities of fighter aircraft during the visual approach and landing task. Forty evaluations were flown to test the effects of different PIOS filters. Although detailed analyses were not undertaken, the results indicate that PIOS filtering can improve the flying qualities of an otherwise unacceptable aircraft configuration (Level 3 flying qualities). However, the ability of the filters to suppress pilot-induced oscillations appears to be dependent upon the aircraft configuration characteristics. Further, the data show that the filters can adversely affect landing flying qualities if improperly designed. The data provide an excellent foundation from which detail analyses can be performed.

Bailey, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Interaction of feel system and flight control system dynamics on lateral flying qualities

An investigation of feel system and flight control system dynamics on lateral flying qualities was conducted using the variable stability USAF NT-33 aircraft. Experimental variations in feel system natural frequency, force-deflection gradient, control system command architecture type, flight control system filter frequency, and control system delay were made. The experiment data include pilot ratings using the Cooper-Harper (1969) rating scale, pilot comments, and tracking performance statistic. Three test pilots served as evaluators. The data indicate that as the feel system natural frequency is reduced lateral flying qualities degrade. At the slowest feel system frequency, the closed-loop response becomes nonlinear with a 'bobweight' effect apparent in the feel system. Feel system influences were essentially independent of the control system architecture. The flying qualities influence due to the feel system was different than when the identical dynamic systenm was used as a flight control system element.

Bailey, Randall E.↗
NASA NTRS1960

A Flight Evaluation of an Airborne Physiological Instrumentation System, Including Preliminary Results Under Conditions of Varying Accelerations

A physiological instrumentation system capable of recording the electrocardiogram, pulse rate, respiration rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures during flight has been developed. This instrumentation system was designed for use during control studies at varied levels of acceleration in order to monitor the well-being of the pilot and at the same time to obtain data for study of the relationships between his various physiological functions and his performance capability. Flights, made in a T-33 aircraft, demonstrated the ability of the system to obtain the desired physiological data in flight. The data obtained in these flights, although limited in nature, indicate a slowing of the pulse rate under the subgravity conditions of brief duration. There appeared to be a proportional nearly in-phase relationship between pulse rate and acceleration. A decrease in diastolic blood pressure together with an increase in pulse pressure was noted during subgravity conditions and an elevation of the diastolic pressure together with a decrease in pulse pressure du-ring increased accelerations. No change worthy of note was seen in the records of the systolic blood pressure, the respiration rate, or the electrocardiogram over the range of acceleration studied (0 to 3 g).

Smedal, Harald A.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Redundancy Management for Navigation Functions on X-33

This presentation focus on the navigational functions of the X-33 aircraft. It addresses the type of fault testing, additional tests during the operational launch vehicle, and the detailed characterization of sensor errors.

Abbott, Richard↗
NASA NTRS1998

Generation of an Aerothermal Data Base for the X33 Spacecraft

The X-33 experimental program is a cooperative program between industry and NASA, managed by Lockheed-Martin Skunk Works to develop an experimental vehicle to demonstrate new technologies for a single-stage-to-orbit, fully reusable launch vehicle (RLV). One of the new technologies to be demonstrated is an advanced Thermal Protection System (TPS) being designed by BF Goodrich (formerly Rohr, Inc.) with support from NASA. The calculation of an aerothermal database is crucial to identifying the critical design environment data for the TPS. The NASA Ames X-33 team has generated such a database using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analyses, engineering analysis methods and various programs to compare and interpolate the results from the CFD and the engineering analyses. This database, along with a program used to query the database, is used extensively by several X-33 team members to help them in designing the X-33. This paper will describe the methods used to generate this database, the program used to query the database, and will show some of the aerothermal analysis results for the X-33 aircraft.

Roberts, Cathy↗
NASA NTRS1998

Flight Demonstration of X-33 Vehicle Health Management System Components on the F/A-18 Systems Research Aircraft

The X-33 reusable launch vehicle demonstrator has identified the need to implement a vehicle health monitoring system that can acquire data that monitors system health and performance. Sanders, a Lockheed Martin Company, has designed and developed a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS)-based open architecture system that implements a number of technologies that have not been previously used in a flight environment. NASA Dryden Flight Research Center and Sanders teamed to demonstrate that the distributed remote health nodes, fiber optic distributed strain sensor, and fiber distributed data interface communications components of the X-33 vehicle health management (VHM) system could be successfully integrated and flown on a NASA F-18 aircraft. This paper briefly describes components of X-33 VHM architecture flown at Dryden and summarizes the integration and flight demonstration of these X-33 VHM components. Finally, it presents early results from the integration and flight efforts.

Schweikhard, Keith A.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Flight Demonstration of X-33 Vehicle Health Management System Components on the F/A-18 Systems Research Aircraft

The X-33 reusable launch vehicle demonstrator has identified the need to implement a vehicle health monitoring system that can acquire data that monitors system health and performance. Sanders, a Lockheed Martin Company, has designed and developed a COTS-based open architecture system that implements a number of technologies that have not been previously used in a flight environment. NASA Dryden Flight Research Center and Sanders teamed to demonstrate that the distributed remote health nodes, fiber optic distributed strain sensor, and fiber distributed data interface communications components of the X-33 vehicle health management (VHM) system could be successfully integrated and flown on a NASA F-18 aircraft. This paper briefly describes components of X-33 VHM architecture flown at Dryden and summarizes the integration and flight demonstration of these X-33 VHM components. Finally, it presents early results from the integration and flight efforts.

Schweikhard, Keith A.↗
NASA NTRS1972

A case study of persistent, intense, clear air turbulence in an upper level frontal zone.

Widespread and persistent clear air turbulence (CAT) occurred over the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S. between New York and South Carolina on 18 March 1969. The major synoptic features and a qualitative discussion of the factors contributing to the development of the large vertical wind shears associated with the turbulence are presented. The turbulent region in the vicinity of Wallops Island, Va., was probed with a NASA T-33 research aircraft and with sensitive radars. The clear air radar echoes and the most intense turbulence occurred principally within an upper level frontal zone of about 2 km depth which was produced by the confluence of two currents of widely different origin.

Reed, R. J.↗