Aircraft Configuration - Exam 3

Flowfield characteristics that make high alpha aerodynamics difficult to predict

Separated Flows --> nonlinear aerodynamics, unsteady flow, heavy dependence on WT data
GA: prevention/recovery from spins, tail damping power factor
Fighters: resistance to departure from controlled flight
Transports: control/prevention of pitch and deep

Nominal pitching moment variation with alpha. What to look for

minimum value of nose-down pitching moment is critical

Describe nominal directional stability characteristics with alpha

Vertical tail provides stability, but is in the wake from the wing at high AoA

Describe normal variation of Cl beta with alpha

SEE PIC

How does control effectiveness change with alpha

less effective at high alpha and low speed
especially true for yawing moment

Reasons for AoA limiter

to prevent planes from going above certain AoA and unable to recover from stall (nose down)

Departure

occurs when planes depart controlled flight; may develop into a spin

How do modern fighters differ from GA airplanes in terms of characteristics that influence spins?

Fighters: elevators down first, then rudder against spin
GA: rudders against spin first, then elevators down

Arrange tail surfaces to aid spin recovery

#NAME?

Interrupted leading edges

discontinuous LE improves stall characteristics (i.e. wing cuffs)

Kinematic and Inertia coupling

kinematic roll: at 90 deg alpha becomes beta
inertia: rolling forces nose up

Modifications to the F-100

Vertical tail size increased
span increase

Cnb,dyn

may not be a good predictor, only approximate

LCDP

Lateral control departure parameter (a good predictor)
LCDP = Cnb - Clb (Cnda / Clda ) > 0
Negative value imply roll reversal
Closed loop parameter

Problems preventing routine supersonic passenger travel

never have enough thrust to reach [L/D]max
At cruise, Cd0 dominates

What is unique about the XB-70? How is this related to a key consideration in supersonic aerodynamics?

Folding wingtips to increase directional stability and minimize the AC shift

Ways to reduce volumetric wave drag

follow the area rule
increase fineness ratio l/d

What's not intuitive about the shape of a minimum wave drag axisymmetric body?

- blunt noses. The slope at the nose is 90 degrees and the LE radius is 0.
-Better to have pressure at the nose where dS is small rather than further aft
-shapes are geometrically bunt while being aerodynamically sharp

Harris Wave Drag Code find the wave drag

#NAME?

Why would anyone ever want to consider an oblique wing plane?

- Improves volumetric area distribution for low zero-lift wave drag
- spreads lift longitudinally and laterally to reduce drag due to lift (induced drag)
- AD-1 built by RT Jones

At supersonic speed, what is meant by the term subsonic edge and supersonic edge?

Subsonic edge: Mn < 1
Supersonic edge: Mn > 1
Why would you care? for subsonic edge, top/bottom surfaces can communicate
Subsonic edges CAN generate leading edge suction
Supersonic edges CANNOT produce leading edge suction

What is conical supersonic flow? Can you use that theory for a flat delta wing?

Conical flow means that span wise pressure distributions look the same at every longitudinal station

How does your expected value of leading edge suction affect the choice of planform?

...

What is meant by the terms arrow wing and modified arrow wing?

#NAME?

What is conical camber?

Special type of camber applied to delta wing supersonic aircraft to reduce drag due to lift

why do supersonic planes use fuel transfer?

to control c.g. location to maintain a relation between the c.g. and the a.c. that allows control of the plane with minimal control surface deflection to reduce trim drag

ways to cope with ac shift from subsonic to supersonic speed

#NAME?

ways to reduce strength of sonic boom

#NAME?

what mach number would be the start of hypersonic flow regime? why?

- mach numbed at which supersonic linear theory fails
- when gamma is no longer constant
- from mach 3-5

why is aerodynamic heating an issue? identify an issue

- normal surface temperature reaching around 1350 on X-15
- skin buckling, window cracking, parts literally melting

Are noses and leading edges of hypersonic vehicles rounded or blunt? why?

blunt. forces a detached shock and most of the heat dissipates into the flow field rather than on the vehicle

what do you need to know to make a simple estimate of surface pressures at hypersonic speeds?

only the geometry

what is meant by a "shadow region" on a body?

portion of the body not facing the flow; Cp = 0

where is lift generated on a hypersonic body?

the portion of the body facing the flow

Why did the X-15 have a wedge shape for the vertical tail

to ensure enough directional stability

what are surface considerations for control surfaces at hypersonic speeds?

#NAME?

What is a scramjet engine

similar to ramjet, but flow through combustion chamber is supersonic

how do you integrate a scramjet into a vehicle

all important forces are on lower surface of hypersonic vehicle. must be placed underneath

What do you remember the most about the SR-71 paper?

Pitchup limits? Chine increases directional stability and reduces the aeroelastic effects due to pitching moment
Heating? Ejector flap temp reach 1100?F