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At least 811 records · Page 45

A systematic approach to advanced cockpit warning systems for air transport operations: Line pilot preferences

Line pilots (fifty captains, first officers, and flight engineers) from 8 different airlines were administered a structured questionnaire relating to future warning system design and solutions to current warning system problems. This was followed by a semantic differential to obtain a factor analysis of 18 different cockpit warning signals on scales such as informative/distracting, annoying/soothing. Half the pilots received a demonstration of the experimental text and voice synthesizer warning systems before answering the questionnaire and the semantic differential. A control group answered the questionnaire and the semantic differential first, thus providing a check for the stability of pilot preferences with and without actual exposure to experimental systems. Generally, the preference data obtained revealed much consistency and strong agreement among line pilots concerning advance cockpit warning system design.

Williams, D. H.↗

Uniform color space analysis of LACIE image products

The author has identified the following significant results. Analysis and comparison of image products generated by different algorithms show that the scaling and biasing of data channels for control of PFC primaries lead to loss of information (in a probability-of misclassification sense) by two major processes. In order of importance they are: neglecting the input of one channel of data in any one image, and failing to provide sufficient color resolution of the data. The scaling and biasing approach tends to distort distance relationships in data space and provides less than desirable resolution when the data variation is typical of a developed, nonhazy agricultural scene.

Nalepka, R. F.↗

Aerodynamic characteristics of three helicopter rotor airfoil sections at Reynolds number from model scale to full scale at Mach numbers from 0.35 to 0.90

An investigation was conducted in the Langely 6 by 28 inch transonic tunnel to determine the two dimensional aerodynamic characteristics of three helicopter rotor airfoils at Reynolds numbers from typical model scale to full scale at Mach numbers from about 0.35 to 0.90. The model scale Reynolds numbers ranged from about 700,00 to 1,500,000 and the full scale Reynolds numbers ranged from about 3,000,000 to 6,600,000. The airfoils tested were the NACA 0012 (0 deg Tab), the SC 1095 R8, and the SC 1095. Both the SC 1095 and the SC 1095 R8 airfoils had trailing edge tabs. The results of this investigation indicate that Reynolds number effects can be significant on the maximum normal force coefficient and all drag related parameters; namely, drag at zero normal force, maximum normal force drag ratio, and drag divergence Mach number. The increments in these parameters at a given Mach number owing to the model scale to full scale Reynolds number change are different for each of the airfoils.

Noonan, K. W.↗

Calculational investigation of impact cratering dynamics - Early time material motions

Early time two-dimensional finite difference calculations of laboratory-scale hypervelocity (6 km/sec) impact of 0.3 g spherical 2024 aluminum projectiles into homogeneous plasticene clay targets were performed and the resulting material motions analyzed. Results show that the initial jetting of vaporized target material is qualitatively similar to experimental observation. The velocity flow field developed within the target is shown to have features quite similar to those found in calculations of near-surface explosion cratering. Specific application of Maxwell's analytic Z-Model (developed to interpret the flow fields of near-surface explosion cratering calculations), shows that this model can be used to describe the flow fields resulting from the impact cratering calculations, provided that the flow field center is located beneath the target surface, and that application of the model is made late enough in time that most of the projectile momentum has been dissipated.

Thomsen, J. M.↗

Mesoscale damage patterns of Hurricane Frederic in relation to enhanced SMS imagery

An F-scale analysis of Hurricane Frederic (September 12 and 13, 1979) was performed in order to determine the structural damage patterns attributed to the storm. Enhanced SMS imagery revealed patterns of mesoscale features as well as features related to the shielding effects of trees and the grouping effect of structures. The scatter in estimating the damage scale was + or - 1 F-scale. It is shown that discrepancies in recorded wind speed and the estimated wind-speed from the F-scale are the result of different damage mechanisms of hurricane and tornado winds. Radar echoes revealed that the structure of Hurricane Frederic changed from an axisymmetric center to an instantaneous center of rotation. Finally, it is suggested that major hurricane wind and water damage be investigated in greater detail by aerial photography, damage vector mapping, and ground surveys.

Fujita, T. T.↗

The Eulerian- and Lagrangian-mean flows induced by stationary, dissipating planetary waves

The Eulerian- and the Lagrangian-mean flows induced by stationary, dissipating planetary waves are discussed by employing a simple channel model on a beta-plane. It is assumed that the wave is excited by the bottom undulation and dissipated by Newtonian cooling with relaxation time alpha and by Rayleigh friction with (lambda)(alpha), lambda being constant. Three cases where lambda is equal to one are discussed: (1) the basic zonal wind U sub 0 and the dissipation rate alpha are both constant; (2) U sub 0 varies with height while alpha is constant; and (3) U sub 0 and alpha both vary with height. In case (1), the Eulerian- and the Lagrangian-mean fields are shown to depend on the difference between the dissipation scale-height and the density scale-height. In case (2) and case (3), it is shown that the results for case (1) are modified under slightly more realistic situations.

Takahashi, M.↗

Characteristics of ageostrophic flow in the vicinity of a severe weather outbreak - AVE-SESAME I

GOES satellite data was used to examine the ageostrophic flow in the vicinity of severe weather outbreaks along the Red River between Texas and Oklahoma in April 1979. The observations were part of the NASA AVE-SESAME I data on atmospheric states close to severe weather conditions. The Barnes Objective Analysis Technique was employed to analyze the data on a 100 km grid. The ageostrophic wind was defined on a regional scale from satellite data on different levels of cloud wind vectors, with a height change signalling a short-wave system in a long-wave trough. The percentage of deviation of the subgeostrophic winds from the geostrophic wind was calculated, and maximum departure corresponded with the region of greatest storm development. Time cross sections of additions to the ageostrophic flow were made as a function of pressure at 100 mb intervals from 900-100 mb. The ageostrophic acceleration was consistently twice the geostrophic acceleration.

Arnold, J. E.↗

A study of Minnesota land and water resources using remote sensing

A pilot study of 60 lakes in Minnesota shows that LANDSAT data correlate very well with the Carlson trophic state index which is derived from measurements in the field. Nimbus satellite data reveal improvement in water quality in Lake Superior since the dumping of taconite tailings stopped in 1980. A feasibility study of using color infrared photography as a near real time tool for soil and crop management in corn and soybean areas of the state generated strong interest from farmers and agribusiness firms. The state geological survey had success in the use and applications of LANDSAT images. Subtleties of changes in vegetation, soil, and topography are such that ground water presence and depth to water table are nearly always impossible to qualify except for broad scale applications. Bedrock and structural differences as shown in lineaments offer great potential for resolution of some kinds of geologic studies. A synergistic concept is to be used to search for mineral resources in the northeastern part of the state.

Source record↗

Eolian Erosion on Mars: Three Scales

Formation and erosion of deposits on Mars with vertical scales of 100 to 1,000 meters and horizontal scales of 100 km may have occurred at rates very different from present ones. Evidence for the rates on small scales comes from observations of dust storms and photometry of wind streaks. These observations cover scales less than 1 cm vertically and time scales less than 10 years. Intermediate scale features such as yardangs and sand dunes are more difficult to evaluate, but for dunes, plausible rates of transport may be calculated. Net eolian action in some areas may be so low that in order to study the large features one needs to select those likely to have been modified more rapidly and that exhibit distinctive contrasts with surrounding areas. Best suited for such study are relatively soft deposits overlying more resistant substrates. Viking Orbiter images of four of the largest such areas were examined to test how the erosional features correlate with patterns attributable to winds, properties of deposits, or non-eolian erosion, and for constraints on erosion and transport rates.

Thomas, P. G.↗

Correlation of predicted and measured sonic boom characteristics from the reentry of STS-1 orbiter

Characteristics from sonic boom pressure signatures recorded at 11 locations during reentry of the Space Shuttle Orbiter Columbia are correlated with characteristics of wind tunnel signatures extrapolated from flight altitudes for Mach numbers ranging from 1.23 to 5.87. The flight pressure signature were recorded by microphones positioned at two levels near the descent groundtrack along the California corridor. The wind tunnel signatures used in theoretical predictions were measured using a 0.0041-scale model Orbiter. The mean difference between all measured and predicted overpressures is 12 percent from measured levels. With one exception, the flight signatures are very similar to theoretical n-waves.

Garcia, F., Jr.↗

Determination of billows and other turbulent structures, part 4.1A

Billows are regular, wave-like arrays of cross-flow vortices that develop in stratified oceanic or atmospheric flows with large shear. Atmospheric billows can become manifest through condensation. Billows are frequently seen in their characteristic cloud forms in the lower atmosphere. Under suitable viewing conditions, billows can also be seen in noctilucent clouds that form near the polar mesosphere during the summer months. Other turbulent structures -- related to billows -- are the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability (KHI) and cat's eye structures that occur in fully developed turbulent shear flows. Shear flows may contain perturbations at many different horizontal wavelengths and vertical scales. Realistic theoretical models have been constructed to study the stability and growth of these perturbations. The extent to which billows and Kelvin-Helmholtz instability have been observed in the atmosphere with the use of radars is outlined. Most of these observations are confined to the troposphere. Suggestions are made for improved radar experiments that are required to detect these structures at higher altitudes.

Rastogi, P. K.↗

High resolution evidence for the Garrett-Munk spectrum of stratospheric gravity waves

Vertical profiles of scalar horizontal winds have been measured at high resolution (10 m) in the 13 to 37 km region of the stratosphere. This resolution (at that range of altitude) represents the state-of-the-art, and is unique. The technique used smoke trails laid by rockets in the stratosphere, and were taken by AFGL at Wallops Island, VA, White Sands Missile Range, NM, and Ft. Churchill, Canada, in the 1977-78 time period. Two or three cameras were used to give the time-lapse photographs. The goal was to ascertain whether or not the internal waves of the stratosphere behave consistently with the Garrett-Munk model which was originally created for oceanic internal waves. Five profiles of horizontal wind are presented. It is concluded: (1) stratospheric internal waves obey the Garrett-Munk model for vertical wave numbers; (2) there is not statistically significant evidence for a break in the curve at high wave numbers when due allowance is made for aliasing effects; and (3) the power density level of the spectra are almost equal on a log-log scale in spite of the difference in time, season, and geographical location.

Dewan, E. M.↗

Spectrum of the gamma-ray diffuse component observed from HEAO-1

The spectrum of the diffuse X and gamma ray background was measured between 15 keV and 4 MeV with the scintillation detectors aboard the HEAO 1 satellite. The apertures of the detectors were modulated on time scales of hours and the difference in counting rates measured the diffuse component flux. The observed spectrum is presented and compared with other measurements. At least two components are indicated, one below -100 keV and the other above. Possible origins are discussed.

Gruber, D. E.↗

Turbulence in a convective marine atmospheric boundary layer

The structure and kinetic energy budget of turbulence in the convective marine atmospheric boundary layer as observed by aircraft during a cold air outbreak have been studied using mixed layer scaling. The results are significantly different from those of previous studies under conditions closer to free convection. The normalized turbulent kinetic energy and turbulent transport are about twice those found during the Air Mass Transformation Experiment (AMTEX). This implies that for a given surface heating the present case is dynamically more active. The difference is mainly due to the greater importance of wind shear in the present case. This case is closer to the roll vortex regime, whereas AMTEX observed mesoscale cellular convection which is closer to free convection. Shear generation is found to provide a significant energy source, in addition to buoyancy production, to maintain a larger normalized turbulent kinetic energy and to balance a larger normalized dissipation. The interaction between turbulent pressure and divergence (i.e., pressure scrambling) is also found to transfer energy from the vertical to the horizontal components, and is expected to be stronger in roll vortices than in m esoscale cells. The sensible heat flux is found to fit well with a linear vertical profile in a clear or subcloud planetary boundary layer (PBL), in good agreement with the results of Lenschow et al., (1980). The heat flux ratio between the PBL top and the surface, derived from the linear fitted curve, is approximately -0.14, in good agreement with that derived from the lidar data for the same case. Near the PBL top, the heat flux profiles are consistent with those of Deardoff (1979) and Deardorff et al. (1980).

Chou, S.-H.↗

Cratering of planetary satellites

Recent findings concerning craters and cratering populations on the satellites of Jupiter and Saturn are discussed. Current understanding of cratering mechanics is reviewed with emphasis placed on scaling and ejecta and the differences between cratering in rock and ice. Evidence from crater statistics regarding cratering histories on various planetary satellites is discussed and connections are made with what is known about the cratering record on the terrestrial bodies. Consideration is given to the source populations and an attempt is made to summarize and critique the various scenarios that have been proposed for linking the cratering records on the various planets and satellites. It is noted that early Voyager Uranus results seem compatible with the present summary.

Chapman, Clark R.↗

Big whorls carry little whorls

The aim of the research was to explore the space-time structure of homogeneous turbulence by computing and then interpreting the two-point spectra and correlations of the velocity and pressure fields. Many of these statistics are of considerable practical importance. In particular, it is of interest to compare the different time and length integral scales and microscales for Eulerian and Lagrangian qualities, and to compare the space and time spectra.

Hunt, J. C. R.↗

Solving finite element equations on concurrent computers

This paper discusses the development of a concurrent algorithm for the solution of systems of equations arising in finite element applications. The approach is based on a hybrid of direct elimination method and preconditioned conjugate iteration. Two different preconditioners are used; diagonal scaling and a concurrent implementation of incomplete LU factorization. First, an automatic procedure is used to partition the finite element mesh into sub-structures. The particular mesh partition is chosen to minimize an estimate of the cost for evaluating the solution using this algorithm on a concurrent computer. These procedures are implemented in a finite element program on the JPL/CalTech MARK III hypercube computer. An overview of the structure of this program is presented. The performance of the solution method is demonstrated with the aid of a number of numerical test runs, and its advantages for concurrent implementations are discussed. Efficiency and speed-up factors over sequential machines for the numerical examples are highlighted.

Nour-Omid, B.↗

The effects of geopotential resonance on orbit determination for Landsat-4

Analysis is presented demonstrating improved performance for Landsat-4 orbit determination using the Goddard Trajectory Determination System with an adjusted Goddard Earth Model-9 (GEM-9) for geopotential coefficients of the 15th degree and order. The orbital state is estimated along with the sine and cosine coefficients of degree and order 15, (C, S) sub 15,15. The estimates are made for two 5-day intervals of range and doppler data, primarily from the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, during a period of low solar activity in January 1987. The average values of the estimated coefficients (C, S) sub 15,15 are used to modify the GEM-9 model, and orbit determination performance is tested on 17 consecutive 34-hour operational tracking data arcs in January 1987. Significant reductions in the mean values and standard deviations of the along-track position difference and the drag model scaling parameter from solution to solution are observed. The approach is guided by the shallow resonance theory of geopotential orbit perturbations.

Hoge, S. L.↗