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Accelerations in Landing with a Tricycle-Type Landing Gear
"In connection with the application of stable tricycle-type landing gears to transport airplanes, the question arises as to whether certain passengers may not experience relatively great accelerations in an emergency landing. Since the main landing wheels are behind the center of gravity in this type of gear, a hard-braked landing will cause immediate nosing down of the airplane and, when this motion is stopped due to the front wheel striking the ground, there will be some tendency for the rearmost passengers to be thrown out of their seats, The provided rough calculations are designed to show the magnitudes of the various reactions experienced in a severe landing under these circumstances" (p. 1).
Aerodynamic Characteristics of NACA 23012 and 23021 Airfoils With 20-Percent-Chord External-Airfoil Flaps of NACA 23012 Section
Report presents the results of an investigation of the general aerodynamic characteristics of the NACA 23012 and 23021 airfoils, each equipped with a 0.20c external flap of NACA 23012 section. The tests were made in the NACA 7 by 10-foot and variable-density wind tunnels and covered a range of Reynolds numbers that included values corresponding to those for landing conditions of a wide range of airplanes. Besides a determination of the variation of lift and drag characteristics with position of the flap relative to the main airfoil, complete aerodynamic characteristics of the airfoil-flap combination with a flap hinge axis selected to give small hinge moments were measured in the two tunnels.
Air propellers in yaw
Report presents the results of tests conducted at Stanford University of a 3-foot model propeller at four pitch settings and at 0 degree, 10 degrees, 20 degrees, and 30 degrees yaw.
The Airspeed "Oxford" Training Airplane (British): A Two-Engine Cantilever Monoplane
Circular describing the Airspeed A.S. 10 "Oxford", which is a twin-engine trainer with a variety of equipment, including propellers, landing gear, and other components.Details of the wings, fuselage, the inside, characteristics, performance, drawings, and photographs are provided.
Alternating-current equipment for the measurement of fluctuations of air speed in turbulent flow
From Summary: "Recent electrical and mechanical improvements have been made in the equipment developed at the National Bureau of Standards for measurement of fluctuations of air speed in turbulent flow. Data useful in the design of similar equipment are presented. The design of rectified alternating-current power supplies for such apparatus is treated briefly, and the effect of the power supplies on the performance of the equipment is discussed."
An analysis of the factors that determine the periodic twist of an autogiro rotor blade, with a comparison of predicted and measured results
Report presents an analysis of the factors that determine the periodic twist of a rotor blade under the action of the air forces on it. The results of the analysis show that the Fourier coefficients of the twist are linear expressions involving only the tip-speed ratio, the pitch setting, the inflow coefficient, the pitching-moment coefficient of the blade airfoil section, and the physical characteristics of the rotor blade and machine.
An Analytical and Experimental Study of the Effect of Periodic Blade Twist on the Thrust, Torque, and Flapping Motion of an Autogiro Rotor
From Summary: "An analysis is made of the influence on autogiro rotor characteristics of a periodic blade twist that varies with the azimuth position of the rotor blade and the results are compared with experimental data. The analysis expresses the influence of this type of twist upon the thrust, torque, and flapping motion of the rotor. The check against experimental data shows that the periodic twist has a pronounced influence on the flapping motion and that this influence is accurately predicted by the analysis. The influence of the twist upon the thrust and torque could be demonstrated only indirectly, but its importance is indicated."
Annual Report of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (22nd). Administrative Report Including Technical Report Nos. 542 to 576
Report includes the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics letter of submittal to the President, Congressional report, summaries of the committee's activities and research accomplished, bibliographies, and financial report.
The apparent width of the plate in compression
This report discusses an investigation that treats the load capacity of a rectangular plate stressed in compression on one direction (x) beyond the buckling limit and the plate is rotatable (i.e., free from moments) supported at all four sides by bending-resistant beams.
Armstrong Whitworth 27 "Ensign" Commercial Airplane (British): An All-Metal High-Wing Monoplane
Circular presenting a description of the Armstrong Whitworth monoplane, which is an all-metal, high-wing monoplane with landing gear that retracts into the wing-mounted engine nacelles. Details of the wings, wing spars, fuselage, controls, engines, speeds, drawings, and photographs are provided.
Auto-Ignition and Combustion of Diesel Fuel in a Constant-Volume Bomb
Report presents the results of a study of variations in ignition lag and combustion associated with changes in air temperature and density for a diesel fuel in a constant-volume bomb. The test results have been discussed in terms of engine performance wherever comparisons could be drawn. The most important conclusions drawn from this investigation are: the ignition lag was essentially independent of the injected fuel quantity. Extrapolation of the curves for the fuel used shows that the lag could not be greatly decreased by exceeding the compression-ignition engines. In order to obtain the best combustion and thermal efficiency, it was desirable to use the longest ignition lag consistent with a permissible rate of pressure rise.
Baynes Bee Light Airplane (British): A Two-Seat High-Wing Monoplane
Circular presenting a description of the Baynes Bee, which is a light two-seat high-wing monoplane. Details of its unique qualities, design, components, flying qualities, drawings, and photographs are provided.
The Behavior of Thin-Will Monocoque Cylinders Under Torsional Vibration
"Curves of forced frequency against amplitude are presented for the conditions where the forced frequency is both increased and decreased into the resonant range. On the basis of these curves it is shown that the practical resonance frequency is the point where wrinkling first occurs and that the resonance frequency will be subject to considerable travel once permanent wrinkles appear in the vibrating shell. The decreasing mode of striking resonance is found to be by far the most destructive condition" (p. 1).
Bending Tests of Circular Cylinders of Corrugated Aluminum-Alloy Sheet
"Bending tests were made of two circular cylinders of corrugated aluminum-alloy sheet. In each test failure occurred by bending of the corrugations in a plane normal to the skin. It was found, after analysis of the effect of short end bays, that the computed stress on the extreme fiber of a corrugated cylinder is in excess of that for a flat panel of the same basic pattern and panel length tested as a pin-ended column. It is concluded that this increased strength was due to the effects of curvature of the pitch line. It is also concluded from the tests that light bulkheads closely spaced strengthen corrugated cylinders very materially" (p. 1).
Charts expressing the time, velocity, and altitude relations for an airplane diving in a standard atmosphere
In this report charts are given showing the relation between time, velocities, and altitude for airplanes having various terminal velocities diving in a standard atmosphere. The range of starting altitudes is from 8,000 to 32,000 feet, and the terminal velocities vary from 150 to 550 miles per hour. A comparison is made between an experimental case and the results obtained from the charts. Examples pointing out the use of the charts are included.
Charts for Checking the Stability of Plane Systems of Rods
"Charts are presented for checking the stability of plane systems of rods, the use of the charts being illustrated by examples. It is also indicated how best to combine the individual members to form stable structures" (p. 1).
Column Strength of Tubes Elastically Restrained Against Rotation at the Ends
Report presents the results of a study made of the effects of known end restraint on commercially available round and streamline tubing of chromium-molybdenum steel, duralumin, stainless steel, and heat-treated chromium-molybdenum steel; and a more accurate method than any previously available, but still a practical method, was developed for designing compression members in riveted or welded structures, particularly aircraft. Two hundred specimens were tested as short, medium-length, and long columns with freely supported ends or elastically restrained ends. Tensile and compressive tests were made on each piece of original tubing from which column specimens were cut.
Comparative Flight and Full-Scale Wind-Tunnel Measurements of the Maximum Lift of an Airplane
"Determinations of the power-off maximum lift of a Fairchild 22 airplane were made in the NACA full-scale wind tunnel and in flight. The results from the two types of test were in satisfactory agreement. It was found that, when the airplane was rotated positively in pitch through the angle of stall at rates of the order of 0.1 degree per second, the maximum lift coefficient was considerably higher than that obtained in the standard tests, in which the forces are measured with the angles of attack fixed. Scale effect on the maximum lift coefficient was also investigated" (p. 161).
Compressible Flow About Symmetrical Joukowski Profiles
"The method of Poggi is employed for the determination of the effects of compressibility upon the flow past an obstacle. A general expression for the velocity increment due to compressibility is obtained. The general result holds whatever the shape of the obstacle; but, in order to obtain the complete solution, it is necessary to know a certain Fourier expansion of the square of the velocity of flow past the obstacle. An application is made to the case flow of a symmetrical Joukowski profile with a sharp trailing edge, fixed in a stream of an arbitrary angle of attack and with the circulation determined by the Kutta condition" (p. 197).
Compression-ignition engine performance at altitudes and at various air pressures and temperatures
From Summary: "Engine test results are presented for simulated altitude conditions. A displaced-piston combustion chamber on a 5- by 7-inch single cylinder compression-ignition engine operating at 2,000 r.p.m. was used. Inlet air temperature equivalent to standard altitudes up to 14,000 feet were obtained. Comparison between performance at altitude of the unsupercharged compression-ignition engine compared favorably with the carburetor engine."
Considerations affecting the additional weight required in mass balance of ailerons
"This paper is essentially a consideration of mass balance of ailerons from a preliminary design standpoint, in which the extra weight of the mass counterbalance is the most important phase of the problem. Equations are developed for the required balance weight for a simple aileron and this weight is correlated with the mass-balance coefficient. It is concluded the location of the c.g. of the basic aileron is of paramount importance and that complete mass balance imposes no great weight penalty if the aileron is designed to have its c.g. inherently near to the hinge axis" (p. 1).
Contributions to the Theory of Incomplete Tension Bay
The present report offers an approximate theory for the stress and deformation condition after buckling of the skin in reinforced panels and shells loaded in simple shear and compression and under combined stresses. The theory presents a unified scheme for stresses of these types. It is based upon the concept of a nonuniform stress distribution in the metal panel and its marked power of resistance against compressive stresses ("incomplete" tension bay).
The critical velocity of a body towed by a cable from an airplane
It is sufficient to consider only the equations of motion of the towed body whereas those of the cable may be left out of consideration. The result obtained makes it possible to determine which factors affect the critical velocity and what modifications of the instrument are necessary for extending the upper limit of that velocity.
The Design of Airplane-Engine Superchargers
Report presenting an investigation of the design of airplane engine superchargers, as they are successful for high-altitude flying.
The Design of Airplane-Engine Superchargers
Report studying the "underlying principles for the computation and design of airplane engine superchargers" (p. 1). With the forms of superchargers and underlying principles of computation, delivery heads per stage of 7,000 to 8,500 meters (air column) at an effective efficiency, based on the adiabatic process, of 0.7 may be attained, the space and weight requirements being kept within reasonable limits.
Detonation and Autoignition: Some Considerations on Methods of Determination
This paper is a critical analysis of the methods of determination of the tendency to detonation. No attempt has been made to describe in detail the different fuels and the different methods proposed.
Discharge characteristics of a double injection-valve single-pump injection system
The discharge characteristics of two similar injection valves operated by a single-cylinder fuel-injection pump were determined with an apparatus that measured the quantity of fuel discharged from each valve during every 0.5 degrees of pump rotation. It was found that similar discharges took place from the two valves at all pump speeds when the valve-opening pressures, the nozzle-orifice diameters, and the injection-tube lengths were the same for both valves. Under these conditions, the effects of changing the pump speed, the pump throttle setting, or the nozzle orifice diameter were very similar to those occurring with a single-injection valve. By a proper selection of discharge-orifice areas and valve-opening pressures it was possible to obtain a great many combinations of discharge quantities, discharge rates, and injection timings for the two valves. A series of tests using injection tubes of unequal lengths for the two valves showed that under these conditions the injection timing and the fuel quantity discharged from each valve varies widely and erratically with changes in the pump speed.
A discussion of certain problems connected with the design of hulls of flying boats and the use of general test data
Report presents the results of a survey of problems encountered in applying general test data to the design of flying-boat hulls. It is shown how basic design features may be readily determined from special plots of test data. A study of the effect of the size of a flying boat on the probable limits to be covered by the general test data is included and recommendations for special tests and new methods of presenting test data for direct use in design are given.
Drag of Cylinders of Simple Shapes
"In order to determine the effect of shape, compressibility, and Reynolds number on the drag and critical speed for simple forms, the drag forces on models of various simple geometric cross sections were measured in the NACA 11-inch high-speed wind tunnel. The models were circular, semitubular, elliptical, square, and triangular (isosceles) cylinders. They were tested over a speed range from 5 percent of the speed of sound to a value in excess of the critical speed, corresponding, for each model, approximately to a tenfold Reynolds number range, which extended from a minimum of 840 for the smallest model to a maximum of 310,000 for the largest model" (p. 169).
Effect of Air-Entry Angle on Performance of a 2-Stroke-Cycle Compression-Ignition Engine
"An investigation was made to determine the effect of variations in the horizontal and vertical air-entry angles on the performance characteristics of a single-cylinder 2-stroke-cycle compression-ignition test engine. Performance data were obtained over a wide range of engine speed, scavenging pressure, fuel quantity, and injection advance angle with the optimum guide vanes. Friction and blower-power curves are included for calculating the indicated and net performances" (p. 1).
The Effect of Curvature on the Transition From Laminar to Turbulent Boundary Layer
Note presenting a discrepancy between the predicted and actual point of transition from laminar to turbulent boundary layer that had been found. This effect may be due to the comparatively small radius of curvature of the upper surface of the wing.
The Effect of Curvature on the Transition From Laminar to Turbulent Boundary Layer
"In the flow over the upper surface of a wing, a discrepancy between the predicted and actual point of transition from laminar to turbulent boundary layer was found. This effect may be due to the comparatively small radius of curvature of the upper surface of the wing. Tests were undertaken to investigate this effect. As far as the authors know, the present investigation is the first to show that curvature has a pronounced effect on the transition of the boundary layer from the laminar to the turbulent state" (p. 1).
Empirical corrections to the span load distribution at the tip
An analysis of existing pressure-distribution data was made to determine the variation of the tip loading with wing plan form. A series of empirical tip corrections was derived that may be added to theoretical curves in certain cases to obtain a closer approach to the actual loading at the tip. The analysis indicated that the need for a tip correction decreases as either the aspect ratio or the wing taper is increased. In general, it may be said that, for wings of conventional aspect ratio, corrections to the theoretical span load curves are necessary only if the wing is tapered less than 2:1 and has a blunt tip. If the tip is well rounded in plan form, no correction appears necessary even for a wing with no taper.
Energy Loss, Velocity Distribution, and Temperature Distribution for a Baffled Cylinder Model
A study has been made of the important principles involved in the operation of a baffle for an engine cylinder and shows that cooling can be improved by 20 percent by using a correctly designed baffle. Such a gain is as effective as a 65 percent increase in pressure drop across the standard baffle, which had a 1/4 inch clearance between baffle and fin tips.
Energy Loss, Velocity Distribution, and Temperature Distribution for a Baffled Cylinder Model, Special Report
Report discusses the important principles involved in the operation of a baffle for an engine cylinder and how using a correctly designed baffle can improve cooling. The baffle-exit radius and width and exit-duct length were found to be the most important parts of the baffle and a baffle that gave a relatively uniform temperature distribution was designed.
The experimental and calculated characteristics of 22 tapered wings
From Summary: "The experimental and calculated aerodynamic characteristics of 22 tapered wings are compared, using tests made in the variable-density wind tunnel. The wings had aspect ratios from 6 to 12 and taper ratios from 1:6:1 and 5:1. The compared characteristics are the pitching moment, the aerodynamic-center position, the lift-curve slope, the maximum lift coefficient, and the curves of drag. The method of obtaining the calculated values is based on the use of wing theory and experimentally determined airfoil section data. In general, the experimental and calculated characteristics are in sufficiently good agreement that the method may be applied to many problems of airplane design."
Experimental Apparatus for the Study of Propellers
The apparatus consists of a universal balance with transmission at variable speeds from 300 to 5,000 rpm and a group directly coupled to the model for speeds of 5 to 30,000 revolutions. This new apparatus was also designed with a torsion meter for measuring the torque. Tests were conducted on the effect of the angle between the propeller axis and the wind direction. The results presented correspond to a first series of tests made without an interposed wing and in which the distance between the plane of the propeller disk and the tail was maintained constant.
Experimental investigation of the problem of surface roughness
Based on the universal laws of turbulent velocity distribution at rough and smooth walls, there is in the present work presented a method that allows surface roughness tests and in particular, measurements on the roughness of ship surfaces to be carried out in a much simpler manner. The types of roughness investigated were in the form of flat, rough plates installed in a square-section rectangular channel, the other three walls always being smooth. Twenty-one plates of various roughness were investigated, the roughness elements being the following: spheres of diameter 0.41 and 0.21, respectively, spherical segments, cones, and "short" and "long" angles.
Experimental Investigation of Wind-Tunnel Interference on the Downwash Behind an Airfoil
"The interference of the wind-tunnel boundaries on the downwash behind an airfoil has been experimentally investigated and the results have been compared with the available theoretical results for open-throat wind tunnels. As in previous studies, the simplified theoretical treatment that assumes the test section to be an infinite free jet has been shown to be satisfactory at the lifting line. The experimental results, however, show that this assumption may lead to erroneous conclusions regarding the corrections to be applied to the downwash in the region behind the airfoil where the tail surfaces are normally located" (p. 689).
Fairey "Battle" Medium Bomber Airplane (British): An All-Metal Low-Wing Cantilever Monoplane
Circular presenting a description of the Fairey "Battle", which is the first stressed-skin aircraft they have constructed and is also an all-metal low-wing cantilever monoplane. Details of the fuselage, wings, skin, design, flaps, landing gear, characteristics, performance, drawings, and photographs are provided.
A Flight Comparison of Conventional Ailerons on a Rectangular Wing and of Conventional and Floating Wing-Tip Ailerons on a Tapered Wing
Report presents the results of flight tests comparing the relative effectiveness of conventional ailerons of the same size on wings of rectangular and tapered plan forms made with a Fairchild 22 airplane. Information is included comparing conventional and floating wing-tip ailerons on a tapered wing. The results showed that the conventional ailerons were somewhat more effective on the tapered than on the rectangular wing. The difference, however, was so small as to be imperceptible to the pilots. The floating wing-tip ailerons were only half as effective as the conventional ailerons and, for this reason, were considered unsatisfactory.
Flight tests of an airplane showing dependence of the maximum lift coefficient on the test conditions
"Data are presented to show the extent to which the maximum lift coefficient and consequently the minimum speed of an airplane, determined by flight tests, may vary with test conditions. The data show that cl-max may vary as much as 14 percent, depending on the altitude and wing loading at which the tests were made, the position or motion of the propeller, and the rate at which the angle of attack is changing when the maximum lift coefficient is obtained. The variation of the maximum lift coefficient with these factors, which are under the control of the test engineer, shows the need of standardizing the test procedure. A further variation is shown with wing conditions as affected by weathering and vibration, factors that cannot be completely controlled" (p. 1).
Free spinning wind-tunnel tests of a low-wing monoplane with systematic wings and tails 2: Mass distributed along the fuselage
Report presenting a study of eight wings and three tails covering a wide range of aerodynamic characteristics in 24 wing-tail combinations. Observations were made of the steady spin for four control settings and of recoveries for five control manipulations. The effect of wing shape, tail arrangement, control settings, relationships between spin characteristics, and comparison with results for basic loading are provided.
Free-spinning wind-tunnel tests of a low-wing monoplane with systemic changes in wings and tails 1: Basic loading condition
A series of tests was made at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) free-spinning tunnel to determine the effect of systematic changes in wing and tail arrangement upon steady-spinning and recovery characteristics of a conventional low-wing monoplane model for a basic loading condition. Eight wings and three tails, covering a wide range of aerodynamic characteristics, were independently ballasted so as to be interchangeable with no change in mass distribution. For each of the 24 wing-tail combinations, observations were made of steady spins for four control settings and of recoveries for five control manipulators. The results are presented in the form of charts comparing the spin characteristics. The results showed that, with a poor tail arrangement, wing plan form and tip shape had a considerable effect on the spinning characteristics.
Full scale span load distribution on a tapered wing with split flaps of various spans
Pressure-distribution tests were conducted in the full-scale wind tunnel on a 2:1 tapered U.S.A. 45 airfoil equipped with 20 percent chord split trailing-edge flaps of various spans. A special installation was employed in the tests utilizing a half-span airfoil mounted vertically above a reflection plane. The airfoil has a constant chord center section and rounded tips and is tapered in thickness from 18 percent c at the root to 9 percent c at the tip. The aerodynamic characteristics, given by the usual dimension less coefficients, are presented graphically as functions of flap span and angle of attack as well as by semispan load diagrams. The results indicate, in general, that only a relatively small increase in the normal-force coefficient is to be expected by extending the flap span of an airfoil-flap combination, similar to the one tested, beyond 70 percent of the wing span.
Full-Scale Tests of a New Type NACA Nose-Slot Cowling
"An extended experimental study has been made in regard to the various refinements in the design of engine cowlings as related to the propeller-nacelle unit as a whole, under conditions corresponding to take-off, climb, and normal flight. The tests were all conducted at full scale in the 20-foot wind tunnel. This report presents the results of a novel type of engine cowling, characterized by the fact that the exit opening discharging the cooling air is not, as usual, located behind the engine but at the foremost extremity or nose of the cowling" (p. 439).
Full-scale wind-tunnel and flight test of a Fairchild 22 airplane equipped with a Zap flap and Zap ailerons
"A wing equipped with a Zap flap and Zap ailerons was tested on a Fairchild 22 airplane in the full-scale wind tunnel and in flight to determine the effect of the flaps and ailerons on the performance and the control characteristics of the airplane. The flaps were 0.30 of the wing chord and 0.83 of the wing span. Two sets of ailerons having equal areas but different proportions were tested, one set being 0.56 of the semispan and 0.18 of the chord and the other set being 0.46 of the semispan and 0.22 of the chord. The wind-tunnel tests showed that, when the ailerons and horizontal tail surfaces were removed, the flaps increased the maximum lift coefficient from 1.48 to 2.39" (p. 1).
Full-Scale Wind-Tunnel and Flight Tests of a Fairchild 22 Airplane Equipped With External-Airfoil Flaps
"Wind-tunnel and flight tests have been made of a Fairchild 22 airplane equipped with a wing having external-airfoil flaps that also perform the function of ailerons. Lift, drag, and pitching-moment coefficients of the airplane with several flap settings, and the rolling- and yawing-moment coefficients with the flaps deflected as ailerons were measured in the full-scale tunnel with the horizontal tail surfaces and propeller removed. The effect of the flaps on the low speed and on the take-off and landing characteristics, the effectiveness of flaps when used as ailerons, and the forces required to operate them as ailerons were determined in flight" (p. 1).
Fuselage-drag tests in the variable-density wind tunnel: streamline bodies of revolution, fineness ratio of 5
From Summary: "Results are presented of the drag tests of six bodies of revolution with systematically varying shapes and with a fineness ratio of 5. The forms were derived from source-sink distributions, and formulas are presented for the calculation of the pressure distribution of the forms. The tests were made in the N.A.C.A. variable-density tunnel over a range of values of Reynolds number from about 1,500,000 to 25,000,000. The results show that the bodies with the sharper noses and tails have the lowest drag coefficients, even when the drag coefficients are based on the two-thirds power of the volume. The data shows the most important single characteristic of the body form to be the tail angle, which must be fine to obtain low drag."
General Airplane Performance
"Equations have been developed for the analysis of the performance of the ideal airplane, leading to an approximate physical interpretation of the performance problem. The basic sea-level airplane parameters have been generalized to altitude parameters and a new parameter has been introduced and physically interpreted. The performance analysis for actual airplanes has been obtained in terms of the equivalent ideal airplane in order that the charts developed for use in practical calculations will for the most part apply to any type of engine-propeller combination and system of control, the only additional material required consisting of the actual engine and propeller curves for propulsion unit" (p. 241).
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