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The right wing of the LEFT airplaneThe NASA Leading-Edge Flight Test (LEFT) program addressed the environmental issues which were potential problems in the application of Laminar Flow Control (LFC) to transport aircraft. These included contamination of the LFC surface due to dirt, rain, insect remains, snow, and ice, in the critical leading-edge region. Douglas Aircraft Company designed and built a test article which was mounted on the right wing of the C-140 JetStar aircraft. The test article featured a retractable leading-edge high-lift shield for contamination protection and suction through perforations on the upper surface for LFC. Following a period of developmental flight testing, the aircraft entered simulated airline service, which included exposure to airborne insects, heavy rain, snow, and icing conditions both in the air and on the ground. During the roughly 3 years of flight testing, the test article has consistently demonstrated laminar flow in cruising flight. The experience with the LEFT experiment was summarized with emphasis on significant test findings. The following items were discussed: test article design and features; suction distribution; instrumentation and transition point reckoning; problems and fixes; system performance and maintenance requirements.
Document ID
19900003194
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Powell, Arthur G. (Douglas Aircraft Co., Inc. Long Beach, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1987
Publication Information
Publication: NASA, Langley Research Center, Research in Natural Laminar Flow and Laminar-Flow Control, Part 1
Subject Category
Aerodynamics
Accession Number
90N12510
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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