Use of Flight Path Accelerometers in Performance Flight Testing: Test Techniques, Data Analysis Methods and Typical Results.
Abstract
The application of flightpath accelerometers in performance flight testing has been of continuing interest to the Air Force Flight Test Center. Much practical experience in flightpath accelerometer technology was gained during performance testing the Cessna A-37A aircraft at the AFFTC. Flight test techniques used during this program were designed to take advantage of the characteristics of the FPA. The results of this testing show that the FPA can provide accurate, consistent data for defining constant Mach drag polars, external store drag, climb/ accelerate potential and can be used for in-flight calibration of jet exhaust nozzles. The accuracy and consistency of the FPA data is however, dependent on corrections for manufacturing errors, aero-dynamic upwash, errors caused by aircraft pitch rates and accelerations and for the response lag of the FPA/vane unit during rapid angle of attack changes. This report explains some of the problems encountered while using the FPA and the corrections which were devised to solve them. It explains the data analysis methods used and presents flight test data for the maneuvers described. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1969
- Accession Number
- ADA041220
Entities
People
- Lester H. Berven
Organizations
- Air Force Test Center