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At least 181 records · Page 10

Longitudinal stability and control derivatives of a jet fighter airplane extracted from flight test data by utilizing maximum likelihood estimation

A method of parameter extraction for stability and control derivatives of aircraft from flight test data, implementing maximum likelihood estimation, was developed and successfully applied to actual longitudinal flight test data from a modern sophisticated jet fighter. The results of this application establish the merits of the estimation technique and its computer implementation(allowing full analyst interaction with the program) as well as provide data for the validation of a portion of the differential maneuvering simulator (DMS). The results are presented for all flight test runs in tabular form and as time history comparisons between the estimated states and the actual flight test data. Comparisons between extracted and manufacturer's values for five major derivatives are presented and reveal good agreement for these principal derivatives with one exception. This particular derivative is extensively investigated by utilizing the interactive capabilities of the computer program. The results of this investigation verify the numbers extracted by maximum likelihood estimation.

Steinmetz, G. G.↗

Summary of longitudinal stability and control parameters as determined from space shuttle Columbia flight test data

Extensive wind tunnel tests were conducted to establish the preflight aerodynamics of the Shuttle vehicle. This paper presents the longitudinal, short-period aerodynamics of the space shuttle Columbia as determined from flight test data. These flight-determined results are compared with the preflight predictions, and areas of agreement or disagreement are noted. In addition to the short-period aerodynamics, the pitch RCS effectiveness was determined.

Suit, W. T.↗

Determination of Longitudinal Stability and Control Characteristics from Free-Flight Model Tests with Results at Transonic Speeds for Three Airplane Configurations

A test technique and data analysis method has been developed for determining the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics from free-flight tests of rocket-propelled models. The technique makes use of accelerometers and an angle-of-attack indicator to permit instantaneous measurements of lift, drag, and pitching moments. The data, obtained during transient oscillations resulting from control-surface disturbances, are analyzed by essentially nonlinear direct methods (such as cross plots of the variation of lift coefficient with angle of attack) and by linear indirect methods by using the equations of motion for a transient oscillation. The analysis procedure has been set forth in some detail and the feasibility of the method has been demonstrated by data measured through the transonic speed range on several airplane configurations. It was shown that the flight conditions and dynamic similitude factors for the tests described were reasonably close to typical full-scale airplane conditions.

Gillis, Clarence L↗

Comparisons of Predictions of the XB-70-1 Longitudinal Stability and Control Derivatives with Flight Results for Six Flight Conditions

Preliminary correlations of flight-determined and predicted stability and control characteristics of the XB-70-1 reported in NASA TN D-4578 were subject to uncertainties in several areas which necessitated a review of prediction techniques particularly for the longitudinal characteristics. Reevaluation and updating of the original predictions, including aeroelastic corrections, for six specific flight-test conditions resulted in improved correlations of static pitch stability with flight data. The original predictions for the pitch-damping derivative, on the other hand, showed better correlation with flight data than the updated predictions. It appears that additional study is required in the application of aeroelastic corrections to rigid model wind-tunnel data and the theoretical determination of dynamic derivatives for this class of aircraft.

Wolowicz, C. H.↗

Subsonic and supersonic longitudinal stability and control characteristics of an aft tail fighter configuration with cambered and uncambered wings and uncambered fuselage

An investigation has been made in the Mach number range from 0.20 to 2.16 to determine the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of a fighter airplane concept. The configuration concept employs a single fixed geometry inlet, a 50 deg leading-edge-angle clipped-arrow wing, a single large vertical tail, and low horizontal tails. The wing camber surface was optimized in drag due to lift and was designed to be self-trimming at Mach 1.40 and at a lift coefficient of 0.20. An uncambered or flat wing of the same planform and thickness ratio was also tested. However, for the present investigation, the fuselage was not cambered. Further tests should be made on a cambered fuselage version, which attempts to preserve the optimum wing loading on that part of the theoretical wing enclosed by the fuselage.

Dollyhigh, S. M.↗

Low-Speed Longitudinal Stability and Lateral-Control Characteristics of a 0.3-Scale Model of the Republic RF-84F Airplane at a Reynolds Number of 9x10(exp 6)

An investigation was conducted in the Langley 19-foot pressure tunnel on a 0.3-scale model of the Republic RF-84F airplane to determine modifications which would eliminate the pitch-up that occurred near maximum lift during flight tests of the airplane. The effects of high-lift and stall-control devices, horizontal tail locations, external stores, and various inlets on the longitudinal characteristics of the model were investigated. For the most part, these tests were conducted at a Reynolds number of 9.0 x 10(exp 6) and a Mach number of 0.19. The results indicated that from the standpoint of stability the inlets should possess blunted side bodies. The horizontal tail located at either the highest or lowest position investigated improved the stability of the model. Three configurations were found for the model equipped with the production tail which eliminated the pitch-up through the lift range up to the maximum lift and provided a stable static margin which did not vary more than 15% of the mean aerodynamic chord through the lift range up to 85% of maximum lift. The three configurations are as follows: the production wing-fuselage-tail combination with an inlet similar to the production inlet but smaller in plan form in conjunction with either (1) a wing fence located at 65% of the win semispan or (2) an 11.7% chord leading-edge extension extending from 65.8 to 95.8% of the wing semispan and (3) the production wing-fuselage-tail combination with the production inlet and an 11.7% chord leading-edge extension extending from 70.8 to 95.8% of the wing semispan.

Bollech, Thomas V.↗

Some Effects of Roll Rate on the Longitudinal Stability Characteristics of a Cruciform Missile Configuration as Determined from Flight Test for a Mach Number Range of 1.1 to 1.8

A model of a cruciform missile configuration having a low-aspectratio wing equipped with flap-type controls was flight tested in order to determine stability and control characteristics while rolling at about 5 radians per second. Comparison is made with results from a similar model which rolled at a much lower rate. Results showed that, if the ratio of roll rate to natural circular frequency in pitch is not greater than about 0.3, the motion following a step disturbance in pitch essentially remains in a plane in space. The slope of normal-force coefficient against angle of attack C(sub N(sub A)) was the same as for the slowly rolling model at O deg control deflection but C(sub N(sub A)) was much higher for the faster rolling model at about 5 deg control deflection. The slope of pitching-moment coefficient against angle of attack & same for both models at 0 deg control deflection but was lower for the faster rolling model at about 5 deg control deflection. Damping data for the faster rolling model showed considerably more scatter than for the slowly rolling model.

Barber, H. T., Jr.↗