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Effect of lift-to-drag ratio in pilot rating of the HL-20 landing taskA man-in-the-loop simulation study of the handling qualities of the HL-20 lifting-body vehicle was made in a fixed-base simulation cockpit at NASA Langley Research Center. The purpose of the study was to identify and substantiate opportunities for improving the original design of the vehicle from a handling qualities and landing performance perspective. Using preliminary wind-tunnel data, a subsonic aerodynamic model of the HL-20 was developed. This model was adequate to simulate the last 75-90 s of the approach and landing. A simple flight-control system was designed and implemented. Using this aerodynamic model as a baseline, visual approaches and landings were made at several vehicle lift-to-drag ratios. Pilots rated the handling characteristics of each configuration using a conventional numerical pilot-rating scale. Results from the study showed a high degree of correlation between the lift-to-drag ratio and pilot rating. Level 1 pilot ratings were obtained when the L/D ratio was approximately 3.8 or higher.
Document ID
19930069741
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Jackson, E. B.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Rivers, Robert A.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Bailey, Melvin L.
(Lockheed Engineering and Sciences Co. Hampton, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets
Volume: 30
Issue: 5
ISSN: 0022-4650
Subject Category
Space Transportation
Accession Number
93A53738
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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