Large-scale V/STOL testingSeveral facets of large-scale testing of V/STOL aircraft configurations are discussed with particular emphasis on test experience in the Ames 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel. Examples of powered-lift test programs are presented in order to illustrate tradeoffs confronting the planner of V/STOL test programs. It is indicated that large-scale V/STOL wind-tunnel testing can sometimes compete with small-scale testing in the effort required (overall test time) and program costs because of the possibility of conducting a number of different tests with a single large-scale model where several small-scale models would be required. The benefits of both high- and full-scale Reynolds numbers, more detailed configuration simulation, and number and type of onboard measurements increase rapidly with scale. Planning must be more detailed at large scale in order to balance the trade-offs between the increased costs, as number of measurements and model configuration variables increase and the benefits of larger amounts of information coming out of one test.
Document ID
19770052091
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Koenig, D. G. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Aiken, T. N. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Aoyagi, K. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, Calif., United States)
Falarski, M. D. (U.S. Army, Air Mobility Research and Development Laboratory, Moffett Field Calif., United States)