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At least 1,729 records · Page 96

Determination of an angle of attack sensor correction for a general aviation airplane at large angles of attack as determined from wind tunnel and flight tests

A comprehensive investigation into the flow correction for an angle of attack sensor mounted ahead of the wing tip of a general aviation research airplane has been conducted at the Langley Research Center. This correction has been determined in wind tunnels using a full-scale model up to angles of attack of 45 deg and a 1/5-scale model up to 80 deg angle of attack. The flow correction has also been obtained in flight by using a standard technique at low angles of attack and in spinning flight at larger angles of attack, by using both a simple approximate technique and a parameter estimation technique. The results show the correction is significant, reaching 10 deg at a measured angle of attack of about 90 deg. The flow correction was sensitive to the angle of sideslip at measured angles of attack greater than 60 deg and was not influenced by wing leading-edge modifications or aileron deflections.

Moul, T. M.↗

Effect of winglets on performance and handling qualities of general aviation aircraft

Recent flight and wind tunnel evaluations of winglets mounted on general aviation airplanes have shown improvements in cruise fuel efficiency, and climbing and turning performance. Some of these analyses have also uncovered various effects of winglets on airplane handling qualities. Retrofitting an airplane with winglets can result in reduced cross wind take-off and landing capabilities. Also, winglets can have a detrimental effect on the lateral directional response characteristics of aircraft which have a moderate to high level of adverse yaw due to aileron. Introduction of an aileron-rudder-interconnect, and reduction of the effective dihedral by canting-in of the winglets, or addition of a lower winglet can eliminate these flying quality problems.

Van Dam, C. P.↗

Effect of propeller slipstream on the drag and performance of the engine cooling system for a general aviation twin-engine aircraft

The pressure recovery of incoming cooling air and the drag associated with engine cooling of a typical general aviation twin-engine aircraft was investigated experimentally. The semispan model was mounted vertically in the 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel at Ames Research Center. The propeller was driven by an electric motor to provide thrust with low vibration levels for the cold-flow configuration. It was found that the propeller slipstream reduces the frontal air spillage around the blunt nacelle shape. Consequently, this slipstream effect promotes flow reattachment at the rear section of the engine nacelle and improves inlet pressure recovery. These effects are most pronounced at high angles of attack, that is, climb condition. For the cruise condition those improvements were more moderate.

Katz, J.↗

Generalized shading analysis for paraboloidal collector fields

This paper presents the development and results of a generalized shading analysis for a field of point-focus parabolic dish concentrators. Shading of one concentrator by another with attendant loss of energy is a function of the position of the sun and the relative locations of the concentrators within the field. A method is presented for determining the annualized energy loss which includes a trade-off of system life-cycle energy as a function of concentrator spacing and field geometric layout. System energy output is computed on an annualized basis, employing 15 minute-increment environmental data tapes for the year 1976 at Barstow, California. For a land cost of $5000 per acre, lowest system energy cost occurs at about a 25 percent packing fraction (concentrator area/land area) for a typical 1-MWe dish-Stirling solar thermal power plant. Basic equations are given for computing the shading and concomitant energy loss as a function of concentrator center-to-center spacing, field layout site location.

Osborn, D. B.↗

A study of stall deterrent systems for general aviation aircraft

Stall deterrent concepts for general aviation aircraft have been investigated using simulation studies and flight test experiments. It was found that the simulator was suitable for the development of deterrent system concepts, but the simulator was unacceptable for pilot evaluation of system effectiveness under typical stall/spin accident conditions. A Cessna 319 was outfitted with sensors, servoactuators, and analog control logic necessary to investigate a wide range of stall deterrent systems. It was found that an acoustic stall sensor and an error control law were sufficient for stall deterrence. The pitch intervention control system prevented aircraft stall for all aircraft configurations and pilot inputs. The variable up elevator stop concept was found to be effective for slow decelerations to aircraft stall. The stall deterrent systems were evaluated by four professional pilots and three low time pilots.

Bennett, A. G.↗

A dynamic analysis of the motion of a low-wing general aviation aircraft about its calculated equilibrium flat spin mode

The properties of the flat spin mode of a general aviation configuration have been studied through analysis of rotary balance data, numerical simulation, and analytical study of the equilibrium state. The equilibrium state is predicted well from rotary balance data. The variations of yawing moment and pitching moment as functions of sideslip have been shown to be of great importance in obtaining accurate modeling. These dependencies are not presently available with sufficient accuracy from previous tests or theories. The stability of the flat spin mode has been examined extensively using numerical linearization, classical perturbation methods, and reduced order modeling. The stability exhibited by the time histories and the eigenvalue analyses is shown to be strongly dependent on certain static cross derivatives and more so on the dynamic derivatives. Explicit stability criteria are obtained from the reduced order models.

Tischler, M. B.↗

Use of generalized population ratios to obtain Fe XV line intensities and linewidths at high electron densities

A generalized method for obtaining individual level population ratios is used to obtain relative intensities of extreme ultraviolet Fe XV emission lines in the range 284-500 A, which are density dependent for electron densities in the tokamak regime or higher. Four lines in particular are found to attain quite high intensities in the high-density limit. The same calculation provides inelastic contributions to linewidths. The method connects level populations and level widths through total probabilities t(ij), related to 'taboo' probabilities of Markov chain theory. The t(ij) are here evaluated for a real atomic system, being therefore of potential interest to random-walk theorists who have been limited to idealized systems characterized by simplified transition schemes.

Kastner, S. O.↗

An acoustic sensitivity study of general aviation propellers

This paper describes the results of a study in which a systematic approach has been taken in studying the effect of selected propeller parameters on the character and magnitude of propeller noise. Four general aviation aircraft were chosen, i.e., a Cessna 172, Cessna 210, Cessna 441, and a 19 passenger commuter concept, to provide a range in flight velocity, engine horsepower, and gross weight. The propeller parameters selected for examination consisted of number of blades, rpm reduction, thickness/chord reduction, activity factor reduction, proplets, airfoil improvement, sweep, position of maximum blade loading, and diameter reduction.

Korkan, K. D.↗

Systems analysis of the installation, mounting, and activation of emergency locator transmitters in general aviation aircraft

A development program was developed to design and improve the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) transmitter and to improve the installation in the aircraft and its activation subsystem. There were 1135 general aviation fixed wing aircraft accident files reviewed. A detailed description of the damage to the aircraft was produced. The search aspects of these accidents were studied. As much information as possible about the ELT units in these cases was collected. The data should assist in establishing installation and mounting criteria, better design standards for activation subsystems, and requirements for the new ELT system design in the area of crashworthiness.

Hall, D. S.↗

Comparisons of four alternative powerplant types for future general aviation aircraft

Recently completed NASA sponsored conceptual studies were culminated in the identification of promising new technologies for future spark ignition, diesel, rotary, and turbine engines. The results of a NASA in-house preliminary assessment study that compares these four powerplants types in several general aviation applications are reported. The evaluation consisted of installing each powerplant type in rubberized aircraft which are sized to accomplish fixed missions. The primary evaluation criteria include projected aircraft cost, total ownership cost, and mission fuel.

Wickenheiser, T. J.↗

Flight evaluation of the effect of winglets on performance and handling qualities of a single-engine general aviation airplane

A flight evaluation was conducted to determine the effects of winglets on the performance and handling qualities of a light, single-engine general aviation airplane. The performance measurements were made with a pace airplane to provide calibrated airspeeds; uncalibrated panel instruments in the test airplane were used to provide additional quantitative performance data. These tests were conducted with winglets on and off during the same day to measure relative performance effects. Handling qualities were evaluated by means of pilot comments. Winglets increased cruise speed 8 knots (5.6 percent) at 3962 m (13,000 ft) density altitude and 51 percent maximum continuous power setting. Maximum speed at 3962 m was virtually unchanged. Rate of climb increased approximately 6 percent, or 0.25 m/sec (50 ft/min), at 1524 m (5000 ft). Stall speed was virtually unchanged. Handling qualities were favorably affected.

Holmes, B. J.↗

Low-speed aerodynamic characteristics of a 13 percent thick medium speed airfoil designed for general aviation applications

Wind tunnel tests were conducted to determine the low speed, two dimensional aerodynamic characteristics of a 13percent thick medium speed airfoil designed for general aviation applications. The results were compared with data for the 13 percent thick low speed airfoil. The tests were conducted over a Mach number range from 0.10 to 0.32, a chord Reynolds number range from 2.0 x 10 to the 6th power to 12.0 x 10 to the 6th power, and an angle of attack frange from about -8 deg to 10 deg. The objective of retaining good high-lift low speed characteristics for an airfoil designed to have good medium speed cruise performance was achieved.

Mcghee, R. J.↗

Grid generation for general three-dimensional configurations

A suitable grid system for complex three dimensional configurations such as wing/body/nacelle shape for the solution of nonlinear transonic flow problems was constructed. Two approaches were explored based on Thompson's body fitted coordinate concept. The most general approach was to divide the computational domain into multiple rectangular blocks where the configuration itself was also represented by a set of blocks whose structure follows the natural lines of the configuration. The block structured grid system was adaptable to complex configurations and gives good grid quality near physical corners. However, it introduced algorithm issues for the flow solution concerning the treatment of nonanalytic grid block boundaries and nonstandard grid cells. These issues were explored in relation to the grid generation. A more limited approach treats a wing/body configuration with only a single rectangular block in computational space. The issues involving nonstandard cells were avoided, but other limitations on grid resolution appear. Both a linear and a nonlinear system of grid generation equations were developed including methods of grid control.

Lee, K. D.↗

Type 2 solar radio events observed in the interplanetary medium. Part 1: General characteristics

Twelve type 2 solar radio events were observed in the 2 MHz to 30 kHz frequency range by the radio astronomy experiment on the ISEE-3 satellite over the period from September 1978 to December 1979. These data provide the most comprehensive sample of type 2 radio bursts observed at kilometer wavelengths. Dynamic spectra of a number of events are presented. Where possible, the 12 events were associated with an initiating flare, ground based radio data, the passage of a shock at the spacecraft, and the sudden commencement of a geomagnetic storm. The general characteristics of kilometric type 2 bursts are discussed.

Cane, H. V.↗

The state of the art of general aviation autopilots

The study is based on the information obtained from a general literature search, product literature, and visitations and interviews with manufacturers, users, and service centers. State of the art autopilots are documented with respect to total systems, components, and functions. Recommendations concerning potential areas of further research are also presented.

See, M. J.↗

Light transport and general aviation aircraft icing research requirements

A short term and a long term icing research and technology program plan was drafted for NASA LeRC based on 33 separate research items. The specific items listed resulted from a comprehensive literature search, organized and assisted by a computer management file and an industry/Government agency survey. Assessment of the current facilities and icing technology was accomplished by presenting summaries of ice sensitive components and protection methods; and assessments of penalty evaluation, the experimental data base, ice accretion prediction methods, research facilities, new protection methods, ice protection requirements, and icing instrumentation. The intent of the research plan was to determine what icing research NASA LeRC must do or sponsor to ultimately provide for increased utilization and safety of light transport and general aviation aircraft.

Breeze, R. K.↗

Investigation of Flight Test Methods for measuring the performance of general aviation aircraft

A theoretical and experimental investigation of methods for measuring the performance of general aviation airplanes was conducted using relatively simple instrumentation currently available and data extraction techniques established from efforts in other disciplines. The possibilities of improving flight test data by use of improved modern instrumentation and digital data recording and data analysis were considered.

Bull, G.↗

Low and high speed propellers for general aviation: Performance potential and recent wind tunnel test results

The performance of lower speed, 5 foot diameter model general aviation propellers, was tested in the Lewis wind tunnel. Performance was evaluated for various levels of airfoil technology and activity factor. The difference was associated with inadequate modeling of blade and spinner losses for propellers round shank blade designs. Suggested concepts for improvement are: (1) advanced blade shapes (airfoils and sweep); (2) tip devices (proplets); (3) integrated propeller/nacelles; and (4) composites. Several advanced aerodynamic concepts were evaluated in the Lewis wind tunnel. Results show that high propeller performance can be obtained to at least Mach 0.8.

Jeracki, R. J.↗