STABILITY-DERIVATIVE DETERMINATION FROM FLIGHT DATA,
Abstract
A comprehensive discussion of the various factors affecting the determination of stability and control derivatives from flight data is presented. Factors relating to test techniques, determination of mass characteristics, instrumentation, and methods of analysis are discussed. For most longitudinal-stability-derivative analyses simple equations utilizing period and damping were found to be as satisfactory as more comprehensive methods. The graphical time-vector method was the basis of lateral-derivative analysis, although simple approximate methods can be useful if applied with caution. Control effectiveness was generally obtained by relating the peak acceleration to the rapid control input, and consideration must be given to aerodynamic contributions if reasonable accuracy is to be realized. Because of the many factors involved in the determination of stability derivatives, it is believed that the primary stability and control derivatives are probably accurate to within 10 to 25%, depending upon the specific derivative. Static-stability derivatives at low angle of attack show the greatest accuracy. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1958
- Accession Number
- AD0661990
Entities
People
- Chester H. Wolowicz
- Euclid C. Holleman
Organizations
- AGARD