ALBERT

Description: 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.

Description: An investigation was conducted in the Langley Spin Tunnel of the spin and spin-recovery characteristics of a 1/15-scale model of an Australian trainer airplane. The invesigation included erect and inverted spins; configuration variables such as a long tail, fuselage strakes, 20 deg. elevator cutouts, and rudder modifications; and determination of the parachute size for emergency spin recovery. Also included in the investigation were wing leading-edge modifications to evaluate Reynolds number effects. Results indicate that the basic configuration will spin erect at an angle of attack of about 63 deg. at about 2 to 2.3 seconds per turn. Recovery from this spin was unsatisfactory by rudder reversal or by rudder reversal and ailerons deflected to full with the spin. The elevators had a pronounced effect on the recovery characteristics. The elevators-down position was very adverse to recoveries, whereas the elevators-up position provided favorable recovery effects. Moving the vertical tail aft (producing a long tail configuration) improved the spin characteristics, but the recoveries were still considered marginal. An extension to the basic rudder chord and length made a significant improvement in the spin and recovery characteristics. Satisfactory recoveries were obtained by deflecting the rudder to full against the spin and the elevators and ailerons to neutral.

Description: An investigation was conducted in the Langley Spin Tunnel to measure the pressures on the surface of the horizontal and vertical tail and the aft fuselage of an aircraft model. The pressures were measured on a model of a proposed Australian Primary Trainer airplane configuration while the model was rotating at spinning attitudes. The test results indicate that the presence of the horizontal tail adversely modifies the surface pressure on the vertical tail. The presence of the wing also adversely modifies the pressures on the horizontal and vertical tails.

Description: A supplementary investigation has been conducted in the langley 20-foot free-spinning tunnel on a l/24-scale model of the Grumman F11F-1 airplane to determine the spin and recovery characteristics with alternate nose configurations, the production version and the elongated APS-67 version, with and without empty and full wing tanks. When spins were obtained with either alternate nose configuration, they were oscillatory and recovery characteristics were considered unsatisfactory on the basis of the fact that very slow recoveries were indicated to be possible. The simultaneous extension of canards near the nose of the model with rudder reversal was effective in rapidly terminating the spin. The addition of empty wing tanks had little effect on the developed spin and recovery characteristics. The model did not spin erect with full wing tanks. For optimum recovery from inverted spins, the rudder should be reversed to 22O against the spin and simultaneously the flaperons should be moved with the developed spin; the stick should be held at or moved to full forward longitudinally. The minimum size parachute required to insure satisfactory recoveries in an emergency was found to be 12 feet in diameter (laid out flat) with a drag coefficient of 0.64 (based on the laid-out-flat diameter) and a towline length of 32 feet.

Description: A flutter analysis employing the kernel function for three- dimensional, subsonic, compressible flow is applied to a flutter-tested tail surface which has an aspect ratio of 3.5, a taper ratio of 0.15, and a leading-edge sweep of 30 deg. Theoretical and experimental results are compared at Mach numbers from 0.75 to 0.98. Good agreement between theoretical and experimental flutter dynamic pressures and frequencies is achieved at Mach numbers to 0.92. At Mach numbers from 0.92 to 0.98, however, a second solution to the flutter determinant results in a spurious theoretical flutter boundary which is at a much lower dynamic pressure and at a much higher frequency than the experimental boundary.

Description: An investigation has been made in the Langley 20-foot free-spinning tunnel to determine the erect and inverted spin and recovery characteristics of a 1/30-scale dynamic model of a twin-jet swept-wing fighter airplane. The model results indicate that the optimum erect spin recovery technique determined (simultaneous rudder reversal to full against the spin and aileron deflection to full with the spin) will provide satisfactory recovery from steep-type spins obtained on the airplane. It is considered that the air-plane will not readily enter flat-type spins, also indicated as possible by the model tests, but developed-spin conditions should be avoided in as much as the optimum recovery procedure may not provide satisfactory recovery if the airplane encounters a flat-type developed spin. Satisfactory recovery from inverted spins will be obtained on the airplane by neutralization of all controls. A 30-foot- diameter (laid-out-flat) stable tail parachute having a drag coefficient of 0.67 and a towline length of 27.5 feet will be satisfactory for emergency spin recovery.

Description: An investigation has been conducted in the Langley 20-foot free-spinning tunnel on a l/19-scale model of the North American T-28C airplane to determine the spin and recovery characteristics. The T-28C airplane is similar to the T-28B airplane except for slight modifications for the arresting hook. The lower rear section of the fuselage was cut out and, consequently, the lower part of the rudder was removed to make a smooth fairing with the fuselage. The T-28B airplane had good recovery characteristics; but these modifications, along with the addition of gun packages on the wings, led to poor and unsatisfactory spin-recovery characteristics during demonstration spins of the T-28C airplane. Model test results indicated that without the gun packages installed, satisfactory recoveries could be obtained if the elevators were held full back while the rudder was fully reversed and the ailerons were held neutral. However, with the addition of gun packages to the wings and the corresponding change in loading, recoveries were considered unsatisfactory. Recoveries attempted by using a larger chord or larger span rudder were improved very slightly, but were still considered marginal or unsatisfactory. Strakes placed on the nose of the model were effective in slowing the spin rotation slightly and, in most instances, decreased the turns for recovery slightly. Recovery characteristics were slightly marginal for the full fuel loading when strakes and the extended-chord rudder were installed; but with the wing fuel partly used, recovery characteristics were again considered unsatisfactory or, at least, definitely on the marginal side. The optimum control technique for recovery is movement of the rudder to full against the spin with the stick held full back (elevators full up) and the ailerons held neutral, followed by forward movement of the stick only after the spin rotation ceases. Inverted-spin test results indicate that the airplane will spin steep and fast and that recovery by full rudder reversal will be satisfactory if the ailerons are held neutral.