Название: Modeling Flight: The Role of Dynamically Scaled Free-Flight Models in Support of NASA's Aerospace Programs
Автор: Joseph R. Chambers, NASA
Издательство: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 1494743299
Год: 2013
Страниц: 202
Язык: английский
Формат: pdf (true), epub
Размер: 11.6 MB

The subject matter first reviews the special geometric- and mass-scaling requirements for free-flight dynamic models. Limitations of the free-flight techniques are also reviewed. The discussion then presents a review of the history of the development of free-flight techniques by the NACA and NASA, including discussions of the physical characteristics of key facilities, the models used, and the approach to testing. The major portion of the book focuses on the applications of the techniques to generic configurations for general research as well as to specific aircraft and spacecraft configurations. Important lessons learned are also reviewed. A brief review of the special dynamic force tests that usually accompany free-flight tests is provided, and the document concludes with the author’s perspective on potential future opportunities and requirements in free-flight model testing.

The contents presented herein are intended for a wide range of interested readers, including industry teams within the civil and military aviation communities, high school and college students, designers and builders of homebuilt experimental aircraft, aviation enthusiasts, and historians. To provide the most benefit for this broad audience, the technical language used has been intentionally kept at an appropriate level, and equations and technical jargon have been minimized. Extensive references are provided for those interested in obtaining a deeper knowledge of subject matter presented in each major section.

Free-flight models are complementary to other tools used in aeronautical engineering. In the absence of adverse scale effects, the aerodynamic characteristics of the models have been found to agree very well with data obtained from other types of wind tunnel tests and theoretical analyses. By providing insight as to the impact of aerodynamics on vehicle dynamics, the free-flight results help build the necessary understanding of critical aerodynamic parameters and the impact of modifications to resolve problems. The ability to conduct free-flight tests and aerodynamic measurements with the same model is a powerful advantage for the testing technique. When coupled with more sophisticated static wind tunnel tests, computational fluid dynamics methods, and piloted simulator technology, these tests are extremely informative. Finally, the very visual results of free-flight tests are impressive, whether they demonstrate to critics and naysayers that radical and unconventional designs can be flown or identify a critical flight problem for a new configuration.