A finite-step method for estimating the spanwise lift distribution of wings in symmetric, yawed, and rotary flight at low speeds

The finite-step method was programmed for computing the span loading and stability derivatives of trapezoidal shaped wings in symmetric, yawed, and rotary flight. Calculations were made for a series of different wing planforms and the results compared with several available methods for estimating these derivatives in the linear angle of attack range. The agreement shown was generally good except in a few cases. An attempt was made to estimate the nonlinear variation of lift with angle of attack in the high alpha range by introducing the measured airfoil section data into the finite-step method. The numerical procedure was found to be stable only at low angles of attack.