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NASA/TM-2002-21D721Ground and Flight Evaluation of a Small-Scale Inflatable-Winged Aircraft
by James E. Murray, Joseph W. Pable, Stephen Y. Thornton, Shannon Vogus (NASA Dryden Flight Research Center),
Tony Frackowiak (Analytical Services & Materials, Inc.),
Joe Mello (California Polytechnic University),
Brook Norton (Vertigo, Inc.)
Presented at the 40th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting & Exhibit, 14-17 January 2002, Reno, Nevada.
A small-scale, instrumented research aircraft was flown to investigate the flight characteristics of inflatable wings. Ground tests measured the static structural characteristics of the wing at different inflation pressures, and these results compared favorably with analytical predictions. A research-quality instrumentation system was assembled, largely from commercial off-the-shelf components, and installed in the aircraft. Initial flight operations were conducted with a conventional rigid wing having the same dimensions as the inflatable wing. Subsequent flights were conducted with the inflatable wing. Research maneuvers were executed to identify the trim , aerodynamic performance, and longitudinal stability and control characteristics of the vehicle in its different wing configurations.
For the angle-of-attack range spanned in this flight program, measured flight data demonstrated that the rigid wing was an effective simulator of the lift-generating capability of the inflatable wing. In-flight inflation of the wing was demonstrated in three flight operations, and measured flight data illustrated the dynamic characteristics during wing inflation and transition to controlled lifting flight. Wing inflation was rapid and the vehicle dynamics during inflation and transition were benign. The resulting angles of attack and of sideslip were small, and the dynamic response was limited to roll and heave motions.
For the angle-of-attack range spanned in this flight program, measured flight data demonstrated that the rigid wing was an effective simulator of the lift-generating capability of the inflatable wing. In-flight inflation of the wing was demonstrated in three flight operations, and measured flight data illustrated the dynamic characteristics during wing inflation and transition to controlled lifting flight. Wing inflation was rapid and the vehicle dynamics during inflation and transition were benign. The resulting angles of attack and of sideslip were small, and the dynamic response was limited to roll and heave motions.
