MODELINGFLIGHT

The Role of Dynamically Scaled Free-Flight Models in Support of NASAs Aerospace Programs

Joseph Chambers

MODELINGFLIGHT

The Role of Dynamically Scaled Free-Flight Models in Support of NASAs Aerospace Programs

Joseph R. Chambers

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Chambers, Joseph R.Modeling flight : the role of dynamically scaled free-flight models in support ofNASAs aerospace programs / by Joseph R. Chambers.

p. cm. NASA SP 2009-575. Includes bibliographical references and index.1. Airplanes--Models--United States--Testing. 2. Wind tunnel models--United States--Testing. 3. Aeronautics--Research--United States--Methodology. 4. United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. I. Title.

TL567.M6C48 2010 629.1011--dc22

2009048942

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgements....................................................................................................................vii

Introduction...................................................................................................................................1

Background...................................................................................................................................7

Objectives................................................................................................................................ 7

Role.of.Free-Flight.Testing.......................................................................................................8

Principles.of.Dynamic.Scaling..................................................................................................9

Rigid-Body.Dynamic.Models..................................................................................................11

Incompressible.Flow...............................................................................................................11

Compressible.Flow.................................................................................................................14

Limitations.and.Interpretation.of.Results................................................................................15

Historical.Development.by.the.NACA.and.NASA....................................................................17

Spin.Research.Facilities.........................................................................................................18

The.Langley.20-Foot.Spin.Tunnel..........................................................................................19

Wind.Tunnel.Free-Flight.Research.Facilities..........................................................................22

The.Langley.12-Foot.Free-Flight.Tunnel................................................................................24.

The.Langley.Full-Scale.Tunnel...............................................................................................26.

The.Ames.Hypervelocity.Free-Fight.Facilities........................................................................29

The.Ames.40-.by.80-Foot.Tunnel...........................................................................................32

Outdoor.Free-Flight.Facilities.and.Ranges.............................................................................33

Langley.Unpowered.Drop.Models..........................................................................................33

TABLE OF CONTENTS iii

iv MODELING FLIGHT

Dryden.Unpowered.Drop.Models........................................................................................... 37

Langley.Powered.Free-Flight.Models..................................................................................... 39

Langley.Control.Line.Facility.................................................................................................. 40

Ames.Powered.Free-Flight.Models........................................................................................ 41

Dryden.Powered.Free-Flight.Models...................................................................................... 41

Wallops.Rocket-Boosted.Models............................................................................................ 42

Selected.Applications................................................................................................................ 43.

Dynamic.Stability.and.Control.................................................................................................. 47.

Low-Speed.Research.............................................................................................................. 47

High-Speed.Research:.Rocket-Propelled.Models................................................................... 50

Supersonic.Tests.at.Ames....................................................................................................... 52

Unconventional.Configurations............................................................................................... 52

The.Early.Days........................................................................................................................ 53

V/STOL.Configurations........................................................................................................... 58

Parawing.Configurations......................................................................................................... 65

Variable.Geometry................................................................................................................... 68

Space.Capsules...................................................................................................................... 73

Reentry.Vehicles.and.Lifting.Bodies........................................................................................ 75

Supersonic.Transports............................................................................................................ 79

Vehicle/Store.Separation......................................................................................................... 80

Advanced.Civil.Aircraft............................................................................................................ 83

Wake.Vortex.Hazard............................................................................................................... 84

Towed.Vehicles.......................................................................................................................85

Concept.Demonstrators..........................................................................................................86

Summary................................................................................................................................88

Flight.at.High.Angles.of.Attack.................................................................................................89

Fighters...................................................................................................................................94

Summary...............................................................................................................................102

Spinning.and.Spin.Recovery...................................................................................................103

Background..........................................................................................................................103

Military.Configurations..........................................................................................................105

General-Aviation.Configurations...........................................................................................116

Skewed.Wing.Configuration.................................................................................................117

Summary...............................................................................................................................117

Spin.Entry.and.Poststall.Motions...........................................................................................119

Spin.Entry.............................................................................................................................119

Military.Configurations..........................................................................................................120

General-Aviation.Configurations...........................................................................................131

Jet.Transport.Upset.Recovery..............................................................................................135

Tumbling...............................................................................................................................136

Other.Studies........................................................................................................................137

Summary...............................................................................................................................138

Associated.Test.Techniques.................................................................................................. 139

Aerodynamic.Data................................................................................................................139

TABLE OF CONTENTS v

Static.Tests........................................................................................................................... 140

Forced-Oscillation.Tes