Flight-test of the glide-slope track and flare-control laws for an automatic landing system for a powered-lift STOL airplane

An automatic landing system was developed for the Augmentor Wing Jet STOL Research Airplane to establish the feasibility and examine the operating characteristics of a powered-lift STOL transport flying a steep, microwave landing system (MLS) glide slope to automatically land on a STOL port. The flight test results address the longitudinal aspects of automatic powered lift STOL airplane operation including glide slope tracking on the backside of the power curve, flare, and touchdown. Three different autoland control laws were evaluated to demonstrate the tradeoff between control complexity and the resulting performance. The flight test and simulation methodology used in developing conventional jet transport systems was applied to the powered-lift STOL airplane. The results obtained suggest that an automatic landing system for a powered-lift STOL airplane operating into an MLS-equipped STOL port is feasible. However, the airplane must be provided with a means of rapidly regulation lift to satisfactorily provide the glide slope tracking and control of touchdown sink rate needed for automatic landings

A method for determining landing runway length for a STOL aircraft

Based on data obtained from flight tests of the augmentor wing jet STOL research aircraft, a method is proposed for determining the length of the landing runway for powered-lift STOL aircraft. The suggested method determines runway landing length by summing three segments: the touchdown-dispersion distance, the transition distance from touchdown to application of brakes, and the stopping distance after brakes are applied. It is shown how the landing field length can be reduced either through improved autoland system design or by providing the pilot with appropriate information to allow him to identify a "low probability" long or short landing and to execute a go-around. The proposed method appears to determine a safe runway landing length for the STOL application and offers the potential for reducing runway length if great emphasis is placed on a short-runway capability. FAR Parts 25 and 121 appear conservative and suitable for the situation where no great emphasis is placed on reducing the runway length requirement

Dwarf Nova Oscillations and Quasi-Periodic Oscillations in Cataclysmic Variables - VIII. VW Hyi in outburst observed with the Southern African Large Telescope

We analyse four light curves obtained at high time resolution (~ 0.1 s) with the 11-m Southern African Large Telescope, at the ends of two normal outbursts and one superoutburst of the dwarf nova VW Hyi. All of these contain at least some Dwarf Nova Oscillations (DNOs), which, when at their highest amplitudes, are seen in unprecedented detail. In addition to the expected DNOs with periods > 20 s we find a previously unknown modulation at 13.39 s, but none at shorter periods. The various DNOs and their interaction with the longer period Quasi-periodic Oscillations are interpreted in terms of the model of magnetically controlled flow from an accretion disc proposed earlier in this series of papers. Our observations include rare DNOs very late in outburst; we find that the fundamental period does not increase beyond ~ 90 s, which is the same value that the independent ``longer period DNOs'' converge on.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS. 7 pages, 10 figures, 2 table

Preliminary data on boulders at station 6, Apollo 17 landing site

A cluster of boulders at Station 6 (Apollo 17 landing site) consists of breccias derived from the North Massif. Three preliminary lithologic units were established, on the basis of photogeologic interpretations; all lithologies identified photogeologically were sampled. Breccia clasts and matrices studied petrographically and chemically fall into two groups by modal mineralogy: (1) low-K Fra Mauro or high basalt composition, consisting of 50-60% modal feldspar, approximately 45% orthopyroxene and 1-7% Fe-Ti oxide; (2) clasts consisting of highland basalt composition, consisting of 70% feldspar, 30% orthopyroxene and olivine and a trace of Fe-Ti oxide

Flight evaluation of advanced flight control systems and cockpit displays for powered-lift STOL Aircraft

A flight research program was conducted to assess the improvements, in longitudinal path control during a STOL approach and landing, that can be achieved with manual and automatic control system concepts and cockpit displays with various degrees of complexity. NASA-Ames powered-lift Augmentor Wing Research Aircraft was used in the research program. Satisfactory flying qualities were demonstrated for selected stabilization and command augmentation systems and flight director combinations. The ability of the pilot to perform precise landings at low touchdown sink rates with a gentle flare maneuver was also achieved. The path-control improvement is considered to be applicable to other powered-lift aircraft configurations

Determination of surface resistance and magnetic penetration depth of superconducting YBa2Cu3O(7-delta) thin films by microwave power transmission measurements

A novel waveguide power transmission measurement technique was developed to extract the complex conductivity of superconducting thin films at microwave frequencies. The microwave conductivity was taken of two laser ablated YBa2Cu3O(7-delta) thin films on LaAlO3 with transition temperatures of approx. 86.3 and 82 K, respectively, in the temperature range 25 to 300 K. From the conductivity values, the penetration depth was found to be approx. 0.54 and 0.43 micron, and the surface resistance (R sub s) to be approx. 24 and 36 micro-Ohms at 36 GHz and 76 K for the two films under consideration. The R sub s values were compared with those obtained from the change in the Q-factor of a 36 GHz Te sub 011-mode (OFHC) copper cavity by replacing one of its end walls with the superconducting sample. This technique allows noninvasive characterization of high transition temperature superconducting thin films at microwave frequencies

V2051 Ophiuchi after superoutburst : out-of-plane material and the superhump light source

Aims. We performed a detailed spectroscopic analysis of the dwarf nova V2051 Oph at the end of its 1999 superoutburst. We studied and interpreted the simultaneous behaviour of various emission lines. Methods. We obtained high-resolution echelle spectroscopic data at ESO’s NTT with EMMI, covering the spectral range of 4000–7500 Å. The analysis was performed using standard IRAF tools. The indirect imaging technique of Doppler tomography was applied, in order to map the accretion disc and distinguish between the different emission sources. Results. The spectra are characterised by strong Balmer emission, together with lines of He i and the iron triplet Fe ii 42. All lines are double-peaked, but the blue-to-red peak strength and central absorption depth vary. The primary’s velocity was found to be 84.9 kms−1. The spectrograms of the emission lines reveal the prograde rotation of a disc-like emitting region and, for the Balmer and He i lines, an enhancement of the red-wing during eclipse indicates a bright spot origin. The modulation of the double-peak separation shows a highly asymmetric disc with non-uniform emissivity. This is confirmed by the Doppler maps, which apart from the disc and bright spot emission also indicate an additional region of enhanced emission in the 4th quadrant (+Vx, −Vy), which we associate with the superhump light source. Given the behaviour of the iron triplet and its distinct differences from the rest of the lines, we attribute its existence to an extended gas region above the disc. Its origin can be explained through the fluorescence mechanism

Untwisting of a cholesteric elastomer by a mechanical field

A mechanical strain field applied to a monodomain cholesteric elastomer will unwind the helical director distribution. There is an analogy with the classical problem of an electric field applied to a cholesteric liquid crystal, but with important differences. Frank elasticity is of minor importance unless the gel is very weak. The interplay is between director anchoring to the rubber elastic matrix and the external mechanical field. Stretching perpendicular to the helix axis induces the uniform unwound state via the elimination of sharp, pinned twist walls above a critical strain. Unwinding through conical director states occurs when the elastomer is stretched along the helical axis.Comment: 4 pages, RevTeX 3 style, 3 EPS figure