Flight Measurements of the Lateral Control Characteristics of Narrow-Chord Ailerons on the Trailing Edge of a Full-Span Slotted Flap

Results are presented of light tests made to determine the effect of flap deflection on the lateral control characteristics of a modified brewster f2a-2 airplane equipped with partial-span narrow-chord ailerons on the trailing edge of a full-span NACA slotted flap. The investigation included determination of the rolling and yawing characteristics of the airplane in abrupt aileron rolls with the slotted flap at various settings ranging from 0 degree to about 40 degrees. The results showed that the effectiveness of the ailerons was greatly reduced at flap deflections greater than about 20 degrees. For flap deflections up to about 20 degrees, the aileron effectiveness was about the same as with flaps retracted, but the adverse yawing velocity developed in the abrupt aileron rolls was somewhat increased

Tire-to-Surface Friction-Coefficient Measurements with a C-123B Airplane on Various Runway Surfaces

An investigation was conducted to obtain information on the tire-to-surface friction coefficients available in aircraft braking during the landing run. The tests were made with a C-123B airplane on both wet and dry concrete and bituminous pavements and on snow-covered and ice surfaces at speeds from 12 to 115 knots. Measurements were made of the maximum (incipient skidding) friction coefficient, the full-skidding (locked wheel) friction coefficient, and the wheel slip ratio during braking

Biologically Inspired Feedback Design for Drosophila Flight

We use a biologically motivated model of the Drosophila's flight mechanics and sensor processing to design a feedback control scheme to regulate forward flight. The model used for insect flight is the grand unified fly (GUF) [3] simulation consisting of rigid body kinematics, aerodynamic forces and moments, sensory systems, and a 3D environment model. We seek to design a control algorithm that will convert the sensory signals into proper wing beat commands to regulate forward flight. Modulating the wing beat frequency and mean stroke angle produces changes in the flight envelope. The sensory signals consist of estimates of rotational velocity from the haltere organs and translational velocity estimates from visual elementary motion detectors (EMD's) and matched retinal velocity filters. The controller is designed based on a longitudinal model of the flight dynamics. Feedforward commands are generated based on a desired forward velocity. The dynamics are linearized around this operating point and a feedback controller designed to correct deviations from the operating point. The control algorithm is implemented in the GUF simulator and achieves the desired tracking of the forward reference velocities and exhibits biologically realistic responses