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At least 19 records

Comparison of several methods for estimating low speed stability derivatives

Methods presented in five different publications have been used to estimate the low-speed stability derivatives of two unpowered airplane configurations. One configuration had unswept lifting surfaces, the other configuration was the D-558-II swept-wing research airplane. The results of the computations were compared with each other, with existing wind-tunnel data, and with flight-test data for the D-558-II configuration to assess the relative merits of the methods for estimating derivatives. The results of the study indicated that, in general, for low subsonic speeds, no one text appeared consistently better for estimating all derivatives.

Fletcher, H. S.↗

Approximate relations and charts for low-speed stability derivatives of swept wings

Contains derivations, based on a simplified theory, of approximate relations for low-speed stability derivatives of swept wings. Method accounts for the effects and, in most cases, taper ratio. Charts, based on the derived relations, are presented for the stability derivatives of untapered swept wings. Calculated values of the derivatives are compared with experimental results.

THEORIES - WINGS SWEPTBACK & SWEPTFORWARD↗

Low-Speed Stability and Control Test of a "Double-Bubble" Transport Configuration

A test in the Langley 12-Foot Low-Speed Tunnel was conducted as a risk mitigation effort to quickly obtain some low-speed stability and control data on a "double-bubble" or D8 transport configuration. The test also tested some configuration design trades. A 5-percent scale model was tested with stabilizer, elevator, rudder and aileron control deflections. This report summarizes the test results.

Vicroy, Dan D.↗

Low-speed stability and control and spinning characteristics of dynamic models of the X-15 airplane

Paper summarizes the results of low-speed dynamic-model studies of the X-15 aircraft. The investigation included flight tests of a 1/7-scale model in the Langley full-scale tunnel and also in free-gliding flight using a recently developed radio-control technique. In order to interpret and evaluate some of the flight test results, static and dynamic force tests were conducted to determine the low-speed stability and control parameters for angles of attack from 0 degree to as high as 90 degrees. Preliminary tests also have been made in the Langley 20-foot free-spinning tunnel to determine the developed spin and recovery characteristics. Inasmuch as the lower rudder will be jettisoned sometime during the subsonic glide, the investigation has included tests with the lower rudder both on and off.

Hewes, Donald E↗

Low-speed stability and control characteristics of a transport model with aft-fuselage-mounted advanced turboprops

A limited experimental investigation was conducted in the Langley 4- by 7-Meter Tunnel to explore the effects of aft-fuselage-mounted advanced turboprop installations on the low-speed stability and control characteristics of a representative transport aircraft in a landing configuration. In general, the experimental results indicate that the longitudinal and lateral-directional stability characteristics for the aft-fuselage-mounted single-rotation tractor and counter-rotation pusher propeller configurations tested during this investigation are acceptable aerodynamically. For the single-rotation tractor configuration, the propeller-induced aerodynamics are significantly influenced by the interaction of the propeller slipstream with the pylon and nacelle. The stability characteristics for the counter-rotation pusher configuration are strongly influenced by propeller normal forces. The longitudinal and directional control effectiveness, engine-out characteristics, and ground effects are also presented. In addition, a tabulated presentation of all aerodynamic data presented in this report is included as an appendix.

Applin, Z. T.↗

Investigation in the Langley Free-Flight Tunnel of the Low-Speed Stability and Control Characteristics of a 1/10-Scale Model Simulating the Convair F-102A Airplane

An investigation of the low-speed, power-off stability and control characteristics of a 1/10-scale model simulating the Convair F-102A airplane has been made in the Langley free-flight tunnel. The model in its basic configuration and with two modifications involving leading- edge slats and an increase in vertical-tail size was flown through a lift-coefficient range from 0.7 to the stall. Only relatively low-altitude conditions were simulated. The longitudinal stability characteristics of the model were considered satisfactory for all conditions investigated. The lateral stability characteristics were considered satisfactory for the basic configuration over the lift-coefficient range investigated, except near the stall, where large values of static directional instability caused the model to be directionally divergent. An 80-percent increase in vertical-tail area increased the angle of attack at which the model became directionally divergent. The longitudinal and lateral control characteristics were generally satisfactory. Although the adverse sideslip characteristics for the model were considered acceptable over the angle-of-attack range, analysis indicates that the adverse sideslip characteristics of the airplane may be objectionable at high angles of attack.

Boisseau, Peter C.↗

Investigation of the Low-Speed Stability and Control Characteristics of a 1/10-Scale Model of the Convair YF-102 Airplane in the Langley Free-Flight Tunnel

An investigation of the low-speed, power-off stability and control characteristics of a 1/10-scale model of the Convair YF-102 airplane has been made in the Langley free-flight tunnel. The model was flown over a lift-coefficient range from 0.5 to the stall in its basic configuration and with several modifications involving leading-edge slats and increases in vertical-tail size. Only relatively low-altitude conditions were simulated and no attempt was made to determine the effect of freeing the controls. The longitudinal stability characteristics of the model were considered satisfactory for all conditions investigated. The lateral stability characteristics were considered satisfactory for the basic configuration over the speed range investigated except near the stall, where large values of static directional instability caused the model to be directionally divergent. The addition of leading-edge slats or an 8-percent increase in vertical-tail area increased the angle of attack at which the model became directionally divergent. The use of leading-edge slats in combination with a 40-percent increase in vertical-tail size eliminated the directional divergence and produced satisfactory stability characteristics through the stall. The longitudinal and lateral control characteristics were generally satisfactory. Although the adverse sideslip characteristics for the model were considered satisfactory over the angle-of-attack range, analysis indicates that the adverse sideslip characteristics of the airplane may be objectionable at high angles of attack.

Johnson, Joseph L., Jr.↗

Evaluation of the Low-Speed Stability and Control Characteristics of a Mach 5.5 Waverider Concept

Static force and moment tests of a 0.062-scale model of a hypersonic vehicle study concept known as the LOFLYTE(TM) configuration were conducted in the Langley 12-Foot Low-Speed Tunnel. These tests looked primarily at the low-speed static stability and control characteristics of this configuration. Data were obtained over an angle-of-attack range of -5 deg. to 22 deg. at sideslip angles that ranged between -10 deg. and 10 deg. The tiperons were sized to provide enough pitch control to trim the vehicle up to alpha = 16 deg. with no more than 10 deg. of surface deflection and data obtained in this test showed that 10 deg. of tiperon deflection was nearly sufficient to trim the configuration up to the desired angle of attack. Because of the pitching-moment characteristics of the LOFLYTE(TM) configuration, there is a reasonably high level of unpowered trimmed lift at nominal takeoff and approach to landing that should allow for acceptable takeoff and landing speeds for this vehicle. Initial evaluation of the directional stability characteristics of this configuration showed a significant instability between alpha = 10 deg. and about alpha = 18 deg. This test determined that the cause of this instability was the interaction of the wing leading-edge vortex with the vertical tails. Moving the vertical tails either inboard or outboard from the baseline location eliminated this unfavorable interaction.

Hahne, David E.↗

Effect of leading-edge contour and vertical-tail configuration on the low-speed stability characteristics of a supersonic transport model having a highly-swept arrow wing

A low-speed investigation was made on a highly-swept arrow-wing model to determine the effect of wing leading-edge contour and vertical-tail configuration on the aerodynamic characteristics in pitch and sideslip. The investigation was made with the trailing-edge flaps deflected over a range of angles of attack from 8 deg to 32 deg. The tests were made at a Mach number of 0.13, which corresponds to a Reynolds number of about 3,000,000 based on the wing reference chord.

Lockwood, V. E.↗

Investigation of the Low-Speed Stability and Control Characteristics of a 1/10-Scale Model of the Douglas XF4D-1 Airplane in the Langley Free-Flight Tunnel TED No. NACA DE 349

An investigation of the low-speed, power-off stability and control characteristics of a 1/10-scale model of the Douglas XF4D-1 airplane has been made in the Langley free-flight tunnel. The model was flown with leading-edge slats retracted and extended over a lift-coefficient range from 0.5 to the stall. Only relatively low-altitude conditions were simulated and no attempt was made to determine the effect on the stability characteristics of freeing the controls. The longitudinal stability and control characteristics of the model were satisfactory for all conditions investigated except near the stall with slats extended, where the model had a slight nosing-up tendency. The lateral stability and control characteristics of the model were considered satisfactory for all conditions investigated except near the stall with slats retracted, where a change in sign of the static- directional-stability parameter Cn(sub beta) caused the model to be directionally divergent. The addition of an extension to the top of the vertical tail did not increase Cn(sub beta) enough to eliminate the directional divergence of the model, but a large increase in Cn(sub beta) that was obtainable by artificial means appeared to eliminate the divergence and flights near the stall could be made. Artificially increasing the stability derivative-Cn(sub r) (yawing moment due to yawing) and Cn(sub p) (yawing moment due to rolling) had little effect on the divergence for the range of these parameters investigated. Calculations indicate that the damping of the lateral oscillation of the airplane with slats retracted or extended will be satisfactory at sea level but will be only marginally satisfactory at 40,000 feet.

Johnson, Joseph L.↗

Preliminary Evaluation of the Low-Speed Stability and Control Characteristics of the McDonnell XP-85 Airplane from Tests of an Unballasted 1/5-Scale Model in the Langley Free-Flight Tunnel

At the request of the Air Material Command, Army Air Forces an investigation of the low-speed, power-off stability and control characteristics of the McDonnell XP-85 airplane is being conducted in the Langley free-flight tunnel. The XP-85 airplane is a jet propelled, parasite fighter with a 34 deg sweepback at the wing quarter chord. It was designed to be carried in a bomb bay of the B-36 air plane. The first portion of the investigation consists of a preliminary evaluation of the stability and control characteristics of the airplane from force and fight tests of an unballasted 1/5-scale model. The second portion of the investigation consists of test of a properly balasted 1/10-scale model which will include a study of the stability of the Xp-85 when attached to the trapeze for retraction into the B-36 bomb bay. The results of the preliminary test with the 1/5-scale model are presented herein. This portion fo the investigation included tests of the model with various center fin arrangements. Both the design nose flap and a stall control vane were investigated.

Paulson, John W.↗

Low-speed stability and control wind-tunnel investigations of effects of spanwise blowing on fighter flight characteristics at high angles of attack

The effects of spanwise blowing on two configurations representative of current fighter airplanes were investigated. The two configurations differed only in wing planform, with one incorporating a trapezoidal wing and the other a 60 delta wing. Emphasis was on determining the lateral-directional characteristics, particularly in the stall/departure angle-of-attack range; however, the effects of spanwise blowing on the longitudinal aerodynamics were also determined. The-tunnel tests included measurement of static force and forced-oscillation aerodynamic data, visualization of the airflow changes created by the spanwise blowing, and free-flight model tests. The effects of blowing rate, chordwise location of the blowing ports, asymmetric blowing, and blowing on the conventional aerodynamic control characteristics were investigated. In the angle-of-attack regions in which the spanwise blowing substantially improved the wing upper-surface flow field (i.e., provided reattachment of the flow aft of the leading-edge vortex), improvements in both static and dynamic lateral-directional stability were observed. Blowing effects on stability could be proverse or adverse depending on blowing rate, blowing port loaction, and wing planform. Free-flight model tests of the trapezoidal wing confirmed the beneficial effects of spanwise blowing measured in the static and dynamic force tests.

Satran, D. R.↗

An Investigation of the Low-speed Stability and Control Characteristics of Swept-forward and Swept-back Wing in the Ames 40- by 80-foot Wind Tunnel

An investigation has been made at large scale of the characteristics of highly swept wings. Data were obtained at several angles of sideslip on wings having angles of sweep of plus or minus 45 degrees, plus or minus 30 degrees, and 0 degrees. The airfoil sections of the wings varied from approximately NACA 0015 at the root to NACA 23009 at the tip. Each wing was investigated with flaps under flection, partial-span split flaps deflected 60 degrees, full-span split flaps defected 60 degrees and split-flap-type ailerons deflected plus or minus 15 degrees. Values of maximum lift were obtained at Reynolds numbers raging from 5.7 to 9.2 times 10 to the 6th power. In this report the summarized results are compared with the predictions made by use of the simplified theory for the effect of sweep and with existing small-scale data. The basic wind-tunnel results from which these summary data were taken are included in an appendix. The primary problems accompanying the use of weep as revealed by this investigation are the loss in maximum lift, the high effective dihedral, and the sharp reduction in lateral-control effectiveness. In general, simple theory enables good predictions to be made of the gross effects of sweep but further refinements are necessary to obtain the accuracy required for design purposes. In cases where comparisons can be made, the indications are that, as sweep increases, scale effects diminish and large-scale results approach small-scale results.

Mccormack, Gerald M↗