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At least 523 records · Page 29
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2008

A Probabilistic Wake Vortex Lateral Transport Model Using Data from SFO and DEN

In a previous report, we considered the behavior of the lateral position of vortices as a function of time after vortex formation for Out of Ground Effects (OGE) data for aircraft landing at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). We quantified the spread in lateral position as a function of time and examined how predictable lateral position is under a variety of assumptions. The combination of spread and predictability allowed us to derive probability distribution functions (PDFs) for lateral position given observed crosswind (CW) velocities. In this study, we examine the portability of these PDFs with respect to other landing sites. To this end, we consider OGE data obtained by the Federal Aviation Administration for landings at Denver International Airport (DEN) between 04/05/2006 and 06/03/2006. We consider vortices from both B733 (Boeing 737 models 200-500) and B757 (Boeing 757) aircraft. The data set contains 635 B733 landings and 506 B757 landings. The glide slope altitude for these measurements was 280 m, determined by the average initial vortex observation adjusted for a 3-second delay in the initial observation. The comparable SFO altitude was 158 m. We note that the principal mechanism for lateral transport in the OGE regime is advection by the ambient wind. This implies that a simple crosswind correction may be effective in explaining much of the variation in the lateral transport data. In this study, we again consider the use of ASOS data and average Lidar crosswind data over the vortex altitude range to predict vortex location as a function of time.

Mellman, George R.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Human and behavioral factors contributing to spine-based neurological cockpit injuries in pilots of high-performance aircraft: recommendations for management and prevention

In high-performance aircraft, the need for total environmental awareness coupled with high-g loading (often with abrupt onset) creates a predilection for cervical spine injury while the pilot is performing routine movements within the cockpit. In this study, the prevalence and severity of cervical spine injury are assessed via a modified cross-sectional survey of pilots of multiple aircraft types (T-38 and F-14, F-16, and F/A-18 fighters). Ninety-five surveys were administered, with 58 full responses. Fifty percent of all pilots reported in-flight or immediate post-flight spine-based pain, and 90% of fighter pilots reported at least one event, most commonly (> 90%) occurring during high-g (> 5 g) turns of the aircraft with the head deviated from the anatomical neutral position. Pre-flight stretching was not associated with a statistically significant reduction in neck pain episodes in this evaluation, whereas a regular weight training program in the F/A-18 group approached a significant reduction (mean = 2.492; p < 0.064). Different cockpit ergonomics may vary the predisposition to cervical injury from airframe to airframe. Several strategies for prevention are possible from both an aircraft design and a preventive medicine standpoint. Countermeasure strategies against spine injury in pilots of high-performance aircraft require additional research, so that future aircraft will not be limited by the human in control.

Case Reports↗
NASA NTRS2004

Evaluation of a Mobile Phone for Aircraft GPS Interference

Measurements of spurious emissions from a mobile phone are conducted in a reverberation chamber for the Global Positioning System (GPS) radio frequency band. This phone model was previously determined to have caused interference to several aircraft GPS receivers. Interference path loss (IPL) factors are applied to the emission data, and the outcome compared against GPS receiver susceptibility. The resulting negative safety margins indicate there are risks to aircraft GPS systems. The maximum emission level from the phone is also shown to be comparable with some laptop computer's emissions, implying that laptop computers can provide similar risks to aircraft GPS receivers.

Nguyen, Truong X.↗
NASA NTRS2014

A User Guide for Smoothing Air Traffic Radar Data

Matlab software was written to provide smoothing of radar tracking data to simulate ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) data in order to test a tactical conflict probe. The probe, called TSAFE (Tactical Separation-Assured Flight Environment), is designed to handle air-traffic conflicts left undetected or unresolved when loss-of-separation is predicted to occur within approximately two minutes. The data stream that is down-linked from an aircraft equipped with an ADS-B system would include accurate GPS-derived position and velocity information at sample rates of 1 Hz. Nation-wide ADS-B equipage (mandated by 2020) should improve surveillance accuracy and TSAFE performance. Currently, position data are provided by Center radar (nominal 12-sec samples) and Terminal radar (nominal 4.8-sec samples). Aircraft ground speed and ground track are estimated using real-time filtering, causing lags up to 60 sec, compromising performance of a tactical resolution tool. Offline smoothing of radar data reduces wild-point errors, provides a sample rate as high as 1 Hz, and yields more accurate and lag-free estimates of ground speed, ground track, and climb rate. Until full ADS-B implementation is available, smoothed radar data should provide reasonable track estimates for testing TSAFE in an ADS-B-like environment. An example illustrates the smoothing of radar data and shows a comparison of smoothed-radar and ADS-B tracking. This document is intended to serve as a guide for using the smoothing software.

Center/Tracon Radar↗
NASA NTRS1993

Ice Accretion Prediction for a Typical Commercial Transport Aircraft

Ice accretion calculations were made for a modern commercial transport using the NASA Lewis LEWICE3D ice accretion code. The ice accretion calculations were made for the wing and horizontal tail using both isolated flow models and flow models incorporating the entire airplane. The isolated flow model calculations were made to assess the validity of using these simplified models in lieu of the entire model in the ice accretion analysis of full aircraft. Ice shapes typifying a rime and a mixed ice shape were generated for a 30 minute hold condition. In general, the calculated ice shapes looked reasonable and appeared representative of a rime and a mixed ice conditions. The isolated flow model simplification was good for the main wing except at the root where it overpredicted the amount of accreted ice relative to the full aircraft flow model. For the horizontal tail the size and amount of predicted ice compared well for the two flow models, but the position of the accretions were more towards the upper surface for the aircraft flow model relative to the isolated flow model. This was attributed to downwash from the main wing which resulted in a lower effective angle of attack for the aircraft tail.

Bidwell, C. S.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Ice accretion prediction for a typical commercial transport aircraft

Ice accretion calculations were made for a modern commercial transport using the NASA Lewis LEWICE3D ice accretion code. The ice accretion calculations were made for the wing and horizonal tail using both isolated flow models and flow models incorporating the entire airplane. The isolated flow model calculations were made to assess the validity of using these simplified models in lieu of the entire model in the ice accretion analysis for full aircraft. Ice shapes typifying a rime and a mixed ice shape were generated for a 30 minute hold condition. In general, the calculated ice shapes looked reasonable and appeared representative of a rime and a mixed ice conditions. The isolated flow model simplification was good for the main wing except at the root where it overpredicted the amount of accreted ice relative to the full aircraft flow model. For the horizontal tail the size and amount of predicted ice compared well for the two flow models, but the position of the accretions were more towards the upper surface for the aircraft flow model relative to the isolated flow model. This was attributed to downwash from the main wing which resulted in a lower effective angle of attack for the aircraft tail.

Bidwell, C. S.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Hi-alpha forebody design. Part 2: Determination of body shapes for positive directional stability

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has been used to study aircraft forebody flowfields at low speed high angle-of-attack conditions with sideslip. The purpose is to define forebody geometries which provide good directional stability characteristics under these conditions. The flows of the F-5A forebody and Erickson forebody were recomputed with better and refined grids. The results were obtained using a modified version of cfl3d to solve either the Euler equations or the Reynolds equations employing a form of the Baldwin-Lomax turbulence model. Based on those results, we conclude that current CFD methods can be used to investigate the aerodynamic characteristics of forebodies to achieve desirable high angle-of-attack characteristics. An analytically defined generic forebody model is described, and a systematic study of forebody shapes was then conducted to determine which shapes promote a positive contribution to directional stability at high angle-of-attack. A novel way of presenting the results is used to illustrate how the positive contribution arises. Based on the results of this initial parametric study, some guidelines for aerodynamic design to promote positive directional stability are presented.

Ravi, R.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

VSLAM and Coplanar POSIT for Advanced Air Mobility Approach and Landing

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft have many challenges for landing accurately and safely in urban, suburban, and rural environments. Localization in large and open rural environments could utilize GPS, but AAM aircraft in urban environments will encounter GPS degradation. Another challenge involves flight operation time, i.e., flying during the day or at night. There are different types of guidelines and landmarks at runways, heliports, and vertiports for daytime and nighttime applications. Tailoring feature detection methods for AAM approach and landing during the day and night pose different issues and challenges. It is easier to detect edges, lines, and other runway markers during the day than at night. Conversely, it is easier to detect landing light configurations and patterns at nighttime than daytime. Consequently, utilizing the same feature detector for daytime and nighttime operations may not be feasible. This paper focuses on vision-based precision approach and landing (PAL) and builds on previous work by comparing ORB SLAM, custom VSLAM, and coplanar pose from orthography and scaling with iterations (POSIT) for daytime and nighttime operations. Implementing high fidelity simulations with computer graphics and extracting video frames from flight test data provide promising results for AAM PAL applications.

Evan Kawamura↗
NASA NTRS1959

Review of Aircraft Altitude Errors Due to Static-Pressure Source and Description of Nose-Boom Installations for Aerodynamic Compensation of Error

A brief review of airplane altitude errors due to typical pressure installations at the fuselage nose, the wing tip, and the vertical fins is presented. A static-pressure tube designed to compensate for the position errors of fuselage-nose installations in the subsonic speed range is described. This type of tube has an ogival nose shape with the static-pressure orifices located in the low-pressure region near the tip. The results of wind-tunnel tests of these compensated tubes at two distances ahead of a model of an aircraft showed the position errors to be compensated to within 1/2 percent of the static pressure through a Mach number range up to about 1.0. This accuracy of sensing free-stream static pressure was extended up to a Mach number of about 1.15 by use of an orifice arrangement for producing approximate free-stream pressures at supersonic speeds and induced pressures for compensation of error at subsonic speeds.

Gracey, William↗
NASA NTRS1991

Calibration of the ER-2 meteorological measurement system

The Meteorological Measurement System (MMS) on the high altitude ER-2 aircraft was developed specifically for atmospheric research. The MMS provides accurate measurements of pressure, temperature, wind vector, position (longitude, latitude, altitude), pitch, roll, heading, angle of attack, angle of sideslip, true airspeed, aircraft eastward velocity, northward velocity, vertical acceleration, and time, at a sample rate of 5/s. MMS data products are presented in the form of either 5 or 1 Hz time series. The 1 Hz data stream, generally used by ER-2 investigators, is obtained from the 5 Hz data stream by filtering and desampling. The method of measurement of the meteorological parameters is given and the results of their analyses are discussed.

Bowen, Stuart W.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Optimal horizontal guidance law for aircraft in the terminal area.

A complete nonlinear control law is derived for guiding an aircraft in minimum time from an arbitrary initial position and heading to a prescribed terminal position and heading in the horizontal plane. The solution is obtained with the aid of the maximum principle, and is implemented by constructing a digital-computer program for the resulting switching logic.

Pecsvaradi, T.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Miniature probes for use in gas turbine testing

Several examples of miniature probes (null type as well as fixed position) are presented which have proved useful in aircraft and space power systems component testing and are applicable to automotive gas turbine testing. These probes are used to determine component or system performance from the measurement of gas temperature as well as total and static pressure, and flow direction. Detailed drawings of the sensors are presented along with experimental data covering the flow characteristics over the range of intended use.

Glawe, G. E.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The search and rescue satellite mission - A basis for international cooperation

The use of geostationary and polar-orbiting satellites to monitor and locate signals of the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) and Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIB) of general aviation aircraft and inspected marine vessels respectively is described. The joint U.S. Canada/France SARSAT demonstration program will require a minimum of four minutes of mutual visibility of distress transmitter, local user terminal and satellite to obtain a location by Doppler tracking. The program consisting of placing instrumentation on-board three of the Tiros-N series of NOAA operational satellites is attracting interest also from other countries including the USSR, Norway, Australia, and Japan.

Redisch, W. N.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Satellite-aided mobile communications, experiments, applications and prospects

NASA's ATS-series of satellites were used in a series of communications and position fixing experiments with automotive vehicles, ships and aircraft. Applications of the communications were demonstrated and evaluated for public services including law enforcement, search and rescue, and medical emergency, and for commercial uses in the land and maritime transportation industries. The technical success of the experiments and the demonstrated potential value of the communications prompted a study that concluded an operational satellite-aided system would be a valuable augmentation of planned trunking or cellular type terrestrial mobile radio telephone systems.

Anderson, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1984

An in-flight investigation of a twin fuselage configuration in approach and landing

An in-flight investigation of the flying qualities of a twin fuselage aircraft design in the approach and landing flight phase was carried out in the USAF/AFWAL Total In-Flight Simulator (TIFS). The objective was to determine the effects of actual motion and visual cues on the pilot when he was offset from the centerline of the aircraft. The experiment variables were lateral pilot offset position (0, 30 and 50 feet) and effective roll mode time constant (.6, 1.2, 2.4 seconds). The evaluation included the final approach, flare and touchdown. Lateral runway offsets and 15 knot crosswinds were used to increase the pilot's workload and force him to make large lateral corrections in the final portion of the approach. Results indicated that large normal accelerations rather than just vertical displacements in rolling maneuvers had the most significant degrading effect on pilot ratings. The normal accelerations are a result of large lateral offset and fast roll mode time constant and caused the pilot to make unnecessary pitch inputs and get into a coupled pitch/roll oscillation while he was making line up and crosswind corrections. A potential criteria for lateral pilot offset position effects is proposed. When the ratio of incremented normal aceleration at the pilot station to the steady state roll rate for a step input reaches .01 to .02 g/deg/sec a deterioration of pilot rating and flying qualities level can be expected.

Weingarten, N. C.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Comparison Between Sea Surface Wind Speed Estimates From Reflected GPS Signals and Buoy Measurements

Reflected signals from the Global Positioning System (GPS) have been collected from an aircraft at approximately 3.7 km altitude on 5 different days. Estimation of surface wind speed by matching the shape of the reflected signal correlation function against analytical models was demonstrated. Wind speed obtained from this method agreed with that recorded from buoys to with a bias of less than 0.1 m/s, and with a standard derivation of 1.3 meters per second.

Garrison, James L.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Numerical Simulation of Aircraft Trailing Vortices

The increase in air traffic is currently outpacing the development of new airport runways. This is leading to greater air traffic congestion, resulting in costly delays and cancellations. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under its Terminal Area Productivity (TAP) program is investigating new technologies that will allow increased airport capacity while maintaining the present standards for safety. As an element of this program, the Aircraft Vortex Spacing System (AVOSS) is being demonstrated in July 2000, at Dallas Ft-Worth Airport. This system allows reduced aircraft separations, thus increasing the arrival and departure rates, while insuring that wake vortices from a leading aircraft do not endanger trailing aircraft. The system uses predictions or wake vortex position and strength based on input from the current weather state. This prediction is accomplished by a semi-empirical model developed from theory, field observations, and relationships derived from numerical wake vortex simulations. Numerical experiments with a Large Eddy Simulation (LES) model are being conducted in order to provide guidance for the enhancement of these prediction algorithms. The LES Simulations of wake vortices are carried out with NASA's Terminal Area Simulation System (TASS). Previous wake vortex investigations with TASS are described. The primary objective of these numerical studies has been to quantify vortex transport and decay in relation to atmospheric variables. This paper summarizes many of the previous investigations with the TASS model and presents some new results regarding the onset of wake vortex decay.

Proctor, Fred H.↗