Scribd
Upload
7 views

Flight Mechanics Assignment #01

The assignment involves analyzing flight test data for a new single-engine piston light airplane to assess its longitudinal static stability. It requires plotting elevator deflection against lift coefficient for two center of gravity (CG) positions, calculating gradients, and determining the CG position where stability is neutral. Additionally, it asks for the CG position as a percentage of mean aerodynamic chord and an explanation of the implications of shifting the CG aft of the determined position.

Uploaded by

reyansjatt888
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
7 views

Flight Mechanics Assignment #01

The assignment involves analyzing flight test data for a new single-engine piston light airplane to assess its longitudinal static stability. It requires plotting elevator deflection against lift coefficient for two center of gravity (CG) positions, calculating gradients, and determining the CG position where stability is neutral. Additionally, it asks for the CG position as a percentage of mean aerodynamic chord and an explanation of the implications of shifting the CG aft of the determined position.

Uploaded by

reyansjatt888
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

Flight Test Data Analysis Assignment

You are a flight dynamics engineer involved with the development of a new single-engine piston
light airplane. The flight test department has provided you with a set of flight trials data (see
Flight Test Data File – For Students). The trials assessed the aircraft’s longitudinal static stability.
Your task is to prepare a short report (3 pages max) with your answers to ALL of the following
questions.

Question 1. The aircraft was flown straight and level (S&L) at airspeeds of 60 KIAS, 70 KIAS, 80
KIAS, and 90 KIAS. For each airspeed, the pilot held the control column to deflect the elevator
by the required amount to maintain the S&L flight. The test was conducted twice – first with CG
75 cm aft of the datum and second with CG 88 cm aft of datum. Using Sheet 1 – Long. Static
Stability answers the following questions:

i) For the two CG positions, plot elevator deflection, 𝜂𝑒 as a function of lift


coefficient, 𝐶𝐿. You may assume:
𝑊
𝐶𝐿 =
1 2
2 𝜌0 𝑉 𝐸𝐴𝑆 𝑆
where the average weight, 𝑊 for each test point may be taken as 8957 N, 𝜌0 is
1.225 kg 𝑚−3, wing area, 𝑆 is 16.2 m2, and values of equivalent airspeed, 𝑉𝐸𝐴𝑆 are
included in the data file. Note: be careful with airspeed units.
[6 Marks]
ii) For your two lines plotted in (i), calculate the gradient 𝑑𝜂𝑒 ⁄𝑑𝐶𝐿 .
[4 Marks]
iii) Plot 𝑑𝜂𝑒 ⁄𝑑𝐶𝐿 as a function of CG position and extrapolate to find the CG position
(aft of datum) when 𝑑𝜂𝑒 ⁄𝑑𝐶𝐿 = 0°.
[4 Marks]
iv) CG position is normally expressed as a percentage of mean aerodynamic chord
(MAC). Given that the aircraft’s MAC is 149.4 cm and the leading edge of the MAC is
65.8 cm aft of the datum, calculate your answer to (iii) as a %MAC.
[2 Marks]
v) What name is given to the CG position found in (iii)?
[2 Marks]
vi) Explain what would happen to the stability of the aircraft if, in flight, the CG shifted
aft of this position.
[2 Marks]

You might also like