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Theory of Flight. 6.08 Aircraft Stability References: FTGU pages 31, 32. Review. Define load. 2. What is the difference between live load and dead load? What is the load factor in a 60 O turn? Describe the forces acting in a turn. 6.08 Aircraft Stability. MTPs: Definitions
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Theory of Flight 6.08 Aircraft Stability References: FTGU pages 31, 32
Review • Define load. 2. What is the difference between live load and dead load? • What is the load factor in a 60O turn? • Describe the forces acting in a turn.
6.08 Aircraft Stability MTPs: • Definitions • Longitudinal Stability • Lateral Stability • Directional Stability
Definitions Stability: How an aircraft reacts to disturbances while in flight Types of stability: • Dynamic (positive, neutral, negative) • Static • Inherent
Definitions Dynamic Stability • The overalltendency of an aircraft, when disturbed, to return to its original position Positive: airplane will return to its position Negative: airplane will tend to move further away from its position Neutral: airplane will neither return to its position nor continue to change
Definitions • Static Stability • Theinitialtendency of an aircraft, when disturbed, to return to its original position
Definitions Inherent Stability • Built in characteristics to enable the airplane to be either stable or unstable • Stability may be built into each aircraft axis creating • Longitudinal stability • Lateral stability • Directional stability
Longitudinal Stability • Stability around the lateral axis • Also known as pitch stability
Longitudinal Stability • Longitudinal stability is affected by: 1. Size and position of horizontal stabilizer 2. Position of the C of G
Longitudinal Stability Centre of Gravity (C of G) • C of G too far forward • Required loading on the horizontal tail surfaces to maintain angle of attack increases • Overall weight of aircraft increases • Stall speed increases
Longitudinal Stability • C of G too far aft • Decreased longitudinal stability because centre of gravity is behind the centre of pressure • Violent stall characteristics • Poor stall recovery (very dangerous!) • Stall speed decreases
Longitudinal Stability A - C of G too far forward STALL SPEED INCREASES B - C of G too far aft STALL SPEED DECREASES
Lateral Stability • Stability around the longitudinal axis • Also known as roll stability
Lateral Stability Lateral stability is created through • Dihedral • Keel effect • Sweepback wings
Lateral Stability Dihedral • The angle that each wing makes with the horizontal of the aircraft • The lowered wing will produce more lift and will roll back into place • Downgoing wing • = greater angle of attack • = increased lift
Lateral Stability Keel Effect • When disturbed, weight of the aircraft acts like a pendulum to swing aircraft back into position • Natural feature of high wing aircraft • Weight of the aircraft lies under the wings
Lateral Stability Sweepback • Leading edge of the wing slopes backward • When one wing is dropped, the lowered wing produces more lift than the raised wing and the original position is restored
Directional Stability Stability around the vertical or normal axis
Directional Stability Vertical Tail Surface (fin and rudder) • Airplanes have a tendency to fly directly into the relative airflow due to the vertical tail surface • When disturbed the relative airflow will hit the side of the vertical tail surface and push it back into position
Directional Stability • Sweep Back
Confirmation Match the axes with the factors affecting them Longitudinal Stability Lateral Stability Directional Stability • Keel effect • C of G • Sweepback • Vertical Stabilizer • Horizontal Stabilizer • Dihedral
Confirmation What is the difference between dynamic stability and static stability? How does dihedral affect lateral stability? How does the vertical stabilizer affect directional stability?