Handling Qualities Evaluation of the RAAF Museum Fokker Triplane
Abstract
A Commonwealth- owned Fokker Triplane replica is currently flown by RAAF Museum aircrew. An accident involving the RAAF Museum Tiger Moth had raised a number of concerns relating to the lack of corporate knowledge of the flight and ground handling characteristics of the RAAF Museum Fokker Triplane. Consequently, the Aircraft Research and Development Unit was tasked to produce a comprehensive and authoritative document describing the ground and flight characteristics of the Fokker Triplane replica. Five sorties consuming 4.3 flight hours were flown during the evaluation. Sequences covered included ground operations, takeoff and landing, stalling, engine failures, maneuvering flight and formation procedures. the aircraft was found to possess a poor forward field of view in the ground attitude, and exhibited directional instability across the entire flight envelope. the combination of these two deficiencies during the landing phase requires a high degree of pilot skill to maintain directional control. The deficiencies of the aircraft can be overcome, however, with adequate pilot preparation. This report provides information, in the form of Pilot's Notes, describing the characteristics of the aircraft, its limits, and techniques necessary to safely fly the Triplane.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA268860
Entities
People
- A. J. Morris