National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) - 108 Matching Results

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British Certificates of Airworthiness
This report details the rules and regulations for obtaining a British airworthiness certificate. Aircraft loading and construction are especially important.
Aerial Convention of October 13, 1919
The aerial convention delegates are listed as well as the set of rules that were developed during the session.
Air traffic
This report presents a recounting of the steps taken by France to establish national and international regulation over air traffic.
Aviation and Insurance
This article considers some of the causes which hinder the development of aircraft insurance. Different risks are discussed as well as the causes of aircraft accidents. Pilot error, poor airdromes, weather conditions, poorly adapted airplanes, and engine failures are all examined and some conclusions are made.
The Choice of Air Routes
The author lists rules for the development and planning of air routes. He uses as examples India and Texas, as well as discussing the need for more landing fields.
Mechanical Aids to Flight
This report examines the great utility and safety of using instruments when flying. Instruments can be especially useful in conditions when the pilot has trouble spatially orienting himself.
Night Flying
Dr. Warner examines the utility and economy of flying at night when flying passengers. Some of the points discussed include lighted landing fields, the possibility of using airships, and the cost of landing fields.
Proposed Air Traffic Law
This report presents a brief history of France's attempts to promulgate an internal air traffic law and then provides a draft of proposed national air traffic laws.
Regulation of Air Traffic
The ways in which the international and internal French air traffic accords interact with each other is outlined in this report. The principal questions covered by the present legislation are as follows: 1) Conditions of safety which must be fulfilled by aircraft; 2) Licenses for members of the crew; 3) Traffic rules to be observed by French and foreign aircraft.
Stability of Airplanes
The author attempts to correct the misconception that piloting an airplane requires extraordinary skill and balance. He also tries to show that airplanes are extremely stable in flight. Some of the major points covered in this article include: automatic pilots, airplanes designed to be stable, and the reliance on mathematics to help in designing stable aircraft.
Subsidies for Air Transport
This article discusses the need for government subsidies to encourage the development of passenger and freight transport by air.
Technical Problems of Commercial Flying
The technical requirements for commercial aircraft are listed, which include: safety, economy and comfort. The author lists various methods to increase these requirements in commercial aircraft.
Factors of Safety and Indexes of Static Tests
The physical resistance of passengers in establishing an upper limit to the strength of airplane cells is examined and arguments and experiments are discussed.
Hydrodynamic tests for determining the take-off characteristics of seaplanes
The resistance of water, even at low speeds, may be such as to render it impossible to take off. For this type of aircraft, it is therefore especially important to determine the take-off characteristics. A new and simple graphical method is given and appears to be the only one for the complete solution of the problem.
The new French high-speed wind tunnel
The plans for the wind tunnel at Issey-les-Moulineaux are discussed in relation to concerns about the Law of Similitude and propeller speed.
Rules and Regulations of the 1923 Rhon Soaring-Flight Contest
Memorandum describing the rules and regulations of the 1923 Rhön Soaring-Flight Contest. The requirements of the aircraft, pilot and competitor requirements, and prizes are provided.
Speed Limits of Aircraft
This paper is restricted to the question of attainable speed limits and attacks the problem from different angles. Theoretical limits due to air resistance are presented along with design factors which may affect speed such as wing loads, wing areas, wing section shifting, landing speeds, drag-lift ratios, and power coefficients.
Air-Flow Experiments
This report describes the apparatus used to take air-flow photographs. The photographs show chiefly the spiral course of the lines of flow near the tip of the wing. They constitute therefore a visual presentation of the phenomena covered by airfoil theory.
Light Airplanes Which Participated in Contest at Lympne, England, October, 1923
"The purpose of this memorandum is to present in a concise form a description, with drawings, of the most practical light airplanes participating in the meet at Lympne, England, in October, 1923. Features, which are particularly suitable for this type of aircraft, are described and a special reference is made to achievements which indicate progress and possibilities both from a commercial and a military point of view" (p. 1).
Ultra-Light Alloys and Their Utilization on Aircraft
Memorandum presenting an overview of ultra-light alloys and their potential use on an aircraft. A definition of ultra-light alloys, some of the present possibilities of ultra-light alloys, and some of the principles governing the use of the alloys in aircraft are provided.
Wind Tunnel Tests of Correction Formula for Wings of Large Span
The theory (wing experiments in an artificial air stream are subject to error, due to the fact that the wing is not situated in an unlimited body of air) by means of which the given drag correction was obtained, was based on various assumptions (e.g., elliptical distribution of lift) which do not always hold true. For this reason it was desirable to test the equation for the additional drag in regard to its reliability and range of application.
Alloys Similar to Duralumin Made in Other Countries Than Germany
Attempts by other countries to develop patents for alloys similar to duralumin are presented. Duralumin is aluminum alloyed with 3.5-4.5% copper, 0.5% magnesium, and 0.25-1% of manganese. A description of various materials that some have attempted to patent are provided.
European Commercial Aeronautics
"During the months of June to September, 1924, I personally visited the principal airports of Europe and traveled as a passenger some 6500 air miles on English, French, Romanian, Polish, German and Dutch air lines in order to investigate the development of commercial aviation abroad. The results of the investigation are embodied in a series of reports, of which a summary of the general findings is given below" (p. 1).
The Problem of Fuel Measurement: The Schiske "Konsummeter"
Any measuring device, which immediately indicates the rate of fuel consumption in the desired units, has the advantage of saving considerable time and fuel, besides facilitating the adjustment of the carburetor. The Schiske "Konsummeter" (made by the "PS-Vergaser and Apparatebau A. G.") was designed from the above viewpoint.
Structural Methods Employed by the Schutte-Lanz Airship Company
"This article is based on the experience of the Schute-Lanz Airship Company in light construction. The object is to stimulate the employment of these methods in other fields of industry" (p. 1).
Experimental Investigation of the Physical Properties of Medium and Heavy Oils, Their Vaporization and Use in Explosion Engines Part 1
While little has been accomplished in obtaining an abundant supply of light oils from coal and heavy oils, progress has been made on engine design to make use of the heavier oils. Progress has been made in two different directions which are outlined in this paper: the group of engines with medium and high-pressure carburetion in the cylinder; and the group of engines with low-pressure carburetion of the heavy oils before reaching the cylinder.
Experimental Investigation of the Physical Properties of Medium and Heavy Oils, Their Vaporization and Use in Explosion Engines Part 2
This report is an evaluation of the experiments on the use of heavy oils in explosion engines. A method for determining the heat of vaporization of these heavy oils is presented.
Kinetographic Flow Pictures
A method is presented for photographing the flow of fluids with a kinetograph.
Metal Airplane Construction
It has long been thought that metal construction of airplanes would involve an increase in weight as compared with wood construction. Recent experience has shown that such is not the case. This report describes the materials used, treatment of, and characteristics of metal airplane construction.
Air Cooling: An Experimental Method of Evaluating the Cooling Effect of Air Streams on Air-Cooled Cylinders
In this report is described an experimental method which the writer has evolved for dealing with air-cooled engines, and some of the data obtained by its means. Methods of temperature measurement and cooling are provided.
Determining the Velocity Distribution in the Boundary Layer of an Airfoil Fitted With a Rotary Cylinder
In the closer investigation of the results obtained from a wing model with a rotary cylinder mounted in its leading edge (NACA TM's 307 and 354), the velocity distribution in the vicinity of the surface of the model was determined by a hot-wire anemometer. The results confirmed the belief that the rotary cylinder had considerable effect on the air flow, but demonstrated the fact that the direct influence of the cylinder is confined to a very thin layer in immediate proximity to the surface.
High-Speed Oil Engines for Vehicles Part 3
Ignition-chamber engines and their fuel injection systems are investigated. Specific details are provided for fuel-injection nozzles and fuel pumps are provided.
Multiplicity of Solutions in Aerodynamics
"One of the most striking phenomena which accompany the flow of fluids such as air and water about bodies, is that of changes in character. This phenomena is still very little understood. We will first discuss the nature of these changes and then show that pure theory leads to a multiplicity of characters of flow, among which we will endeavor to indicate those bearing some analogy to experimental results" (p. 1).
Comments on Crankless Engine Types
This report describes the leading crankless engine types, which have appeared in recent years. These types include: the Mitchell crankless motor car engine and the German Michel engine.
Discussion of problems relating to the safety of aviation. Part 1
The object of the present treatise is to examine the present status of aerial safety and to review the efforts of various commissions to promote safety.
Discussion of problems relating to the safety of aviation. Part 2
This report focuses on structural strength and engine design in building and designing safer aircraft.
Prospective Development of Giant Airplanes
This report presents a survey of the latest German giant airplane projects. A description of the physical form of the airplanes, their performance, and some possible applications are provided.
Wheel Brakes and Their Application to Aircraft
"The advantages to be gained from braking have not been ignored, and in the search for a suitable method many schemes have been suggested and tried. Some of the methods discussed in this paper include: 1) increasing the height of the landing gear; 2) air brakes of various forms; 3) sprags on tail skid and axle; and 4) wheel brakes. This report focuses on the design of wheel brakes and wheel brake controls" (p. 1).
Contribution to the Technique of Landing Large Airships: Part 1
Many treatises in regard to construction of airship sheds are lacking in data on air currents, for which reason this phase of the problem will be here thoroughly discussed in connection with the accompanying photographs of currents.
Contribution to the Technique of Landing Large Airships: Part 2
Memorandum presenting a description of the development of the mooring mast and how it contributes to the technique of landing large airships. Some of its fundamental requirements and how it can factor into safe landings are provided.
Materials and Methods of Construction in Light Structures
Different methods of constructing light airplanes are presented with a view toward increasing production and efficiency.
On the Strength of Box Type Fuselages
The present investigation relates to a box-type fuselage with sides consisting of thin smooth sheet metal, stiffened by longitudinal members riveted to the flanged channel-section bulkheads or transverse frames and to the semicircular corrugated corner stiffenings. The results obtained in this particular case can be applied to a great number of similar structures.
Technical report of the 1928 Rhon soaring-flight contest
Report presenting some information on the gliders that participated in the 1928 Rhön soaring flight contest. Almost all of the gliders represented an improvement over gliders used in the previous years. A great increase in the skill of the glider pilots is also noted.
Balanced and Servo Control Surfaces
"Many reports on various control systems are available, but the results cannot be generally applied since the effect of particular changes of surface-form and mounting are subject to variations depending upon airfoil section and influences of airplane layout. This report presents a simple analysis of several control systems in more general use. Elevators, ailerons, and rudders are all discussed" (p. 1).
Development of the Junkers-Diesel Aircraft Engine
The working process of the Junkers engine has resulted from a series of attempts to attain high performance and to control the necessarily rapid and complete combustion at extremely high speeds. The two main problems of Diesel engines in aircraft are addressed; namely, incomplete combustion and the greater weight of Diesel engine parts compared to gasoline engines.
Experimental Research on the Friction of Pivots
In horology the friction between solids is of the greatest importance; one limited, however, to the application of the laws of Coulomb which, do not at all correspond with reality. This report presents a review of the subject and some general conclusions. The choice of lubricant is discussed as well as the pressure between frictional surfaces. The gears in a watch are used extensively as examples.
The Magnus Effect in Theory and in Reality
A discussion of the Flettner rotor is presented from a nautical and economic viewpoint, and although it was a failure, the experimental and theoretical inventions cannot be disregarded. The following critical and experimental investigation will show the relations and applicability of the theories and practical applications. The Magnus effect is described in detail and a discussion and critical review of the Magnus effect is included.
Recent Tests of Tailless Airplanes
This report details the advantages and construction of tailless airplanes. Both a glider and a powered model were built and the specifications of both airplanes are listed.
Combined Pitching and Yawing Motion of Airplanes
This report treats the following problems: The beginning of the investigated motions is always a setting of the lateral controls, i.e., the rudder or the ailerons. Now, the first interesting question is how the motion would proceed if these settings were kept unchanged for some time; and particularly, what upward motion would set in, how soon, and for how long, since therein lie the dangers of yawing. Two different motions ensue with a high rate of turn and a steep down slope of flight path in both but a marked difference in angle of attack and consequently different character in the resultant aerodynamic forces: one, the "corkscrew" dive at normal angle, and the other, the "spin" at high angle.
Determination of Resistance and Trimming Moment of Planing Water Craft
This report presents a new theory which makes it possible to interpret the resistance and the trimming moment for any loading of a planing aircraft when these values are given for one load. This application of the new theory forms the basis of the present paper. Derivations of various conversion formulas are given as well as numerous examples.
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