Deep-Stall Aerodynamic Characteristics of T-Tail Aircraft

A wind-tunnel research program has been under-taken by the NASA to study the aerodynamic characteristics of T-tail aircraft at high angles of attack. The program was designed to show the effects on longitudinal stability and control of several configuration variables. The results to date do not allow the formulation of general design rules, but the effects of several configuration variables have been noted to have a prime influence on the post-stall characteristics. An increase in tail size, changes in the location of fuselage-mounted engine nacelles, and reduced fuselage-forebody lift were all found to have a beneficial effect on static longitudinal stability at high angles of attack.