An Analysis of the Normal Accelerations and Airspeeds of a Four-Engine Airplane Type in Postwar Commercial Transport Operations on Trans-Pacific and Caribbean-South American Routes
Abstract
Normal acceleration and airspeed data taken on several transport airplanes of a four-engine type during postwar commercial operations on trans-Pacific and Caribbean-South American routes of the same airline are analyzed. The results indicate that the acceleration increment corresponding to the limit-gust-load-factor increment may be exceeded, on the average, twice in about 5.6 x 1,000,000 flight miles for the Caribbean-South American operations and twice in about 2 x 10 to the 9th power flight miles for the trans-Pacific operations. The larger accelerations for the Caribbean-South American operations appear to result about equally from the lower operating weight, more severe gusts encountered, and higher airspeeds in rough air. The possibility of a trend toward a more severe flight load and gust history for postwar commercial transport airplanes, as indicated by previous work, is not substantiated by the present results. The never-exceed speed used by the airline, 250 miles per hour, may be exceeded, on the average once in about 100,000 flight miles for the Caribbean-South American operations and once in about 1,000,000 flight miles for the trans-Pacific operations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 29, 1950
- Accession Number
- ADA380679
Entities
People
- Paul W. Schumacher
- Thomas L. Coleman
Organizations
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration