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Investigation of Stability and Control Characteristics of a 1/10-scale Model of a Canadian Tailless Glider in the Langley Free-flight TunnelAn investigation of the stability and control characteristics of a 1/10-scale model of a Canadian tailless glider has been conducted in the 10 Langley free-flight tunnel. The glider designated the N.R.L. tailless glider has a straight center section and outboard panels sweptback 43 deg. along the leading edge of the wing. The aspect ratio is 5.83 and the taper ratio is 0.323. From the results of the investigation and on the basis of comparison with higher-scale static tests of the National Research Council of Canada, it is expected that the longitudinal stability of the airplane will be satisfactory with flap up but unsatisfactory near the stall with flap down. The airplane is expected to have unsatisfactory lateral stability and control characteristics in the design configuration with either flap up or flap down. The model flights showed very low damping of the lateral oscillation. Increasing the vertical-tail area improved the lateral stability, and it appeared that a value of the directional-stability parameter C(sub n beta) of at least 0.002 per degree would probably be necessary for satisfactory lateral flying characteristics. A comparison of the calculated dynamic lateral stability characteristics of the N.R.L. tailless glider with those of a conventional-type sweptback airplane having a similar wing plan form and about the same inclination of the principal longitudinal axis of inertia showed that the tailless glider had poorer lateral stability because of the relatively larger radius of gyration in roll and the smaller damping-in-yaw factor C(sub nr).
Document ID
20090026465
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Other - NACA Research Memorandum
Authors
Johnson, Joseph L.
(National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. Langley Aeronautical Lab. Langley Field, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
March 28, 1949
Subject Category
Aircraft Stability And Control
Report/Patent Number
NACA-RM-SL9C28
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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