Aircraft Performance/Stability & Control Testing
PASSENGER + COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT AERODYNAMIC EFFICIENCY & COMPONENT INTERACTION
The Performance, Stability & Control test technique is utilized to fully understand the efficiency and effectiveness of the aerodynamic shape of the aircraft. This includes evaluating the interaction between components such as engine-nacelles/wing and the effectiveness of control surfaces to “steer” the aircraft as the aircraft maneuvers through its intended operational envelope (attitude, altitude, and speed). Within this test technique, Performance Assessment speaks to understanding the attributes of aircraft performance in takeoff, level flight/cruise, range, etc. Whereas, Stability & Control looks at the effectiveness of control surfaces in maneuvering and recovery from changes in flight path, etc.
OUR CAPABILITIES
Within this test technique, Calspan tailors our tests to meet the customer’s particular goals and test objectives. In order to support the aircraft development, test objectives can incorporate many of the following:- Acquire wind tunnel data required to support full-scale drag polar buildup to validate aerodynamic performance.
- Validate high speed neutral controls for longitudinal and lateral/directional stability.
- Determine the contribution of major components (wing, fuselage, propulsion system, and empennage) to the total aircraft aerodynamic characteristics.
- Determine basic and combined high speed control effectiveness and sizing for ailerons, spoilers, speed brakes, elevators, stabilizer, and rudder.
- Predict wing buffet onset and horizontal tail bending and torsion.
- Alternate components assessments for fuselage, wings, winglet, alternate tail, and alternate wing-body fairing.
- Pressure distributions for loads analysis and CFD validation.
- Examine the effects of different simulated engine mass flow ratios on aircraft drag, wing lift distribution, and determine spillage drag increments for drag buildup.
- Determine engine inlet flow quality at the fan face, both with a clean wing and spoilers deflected.
- Obtain surface flow visualization patterns at cruise Mach numbers.
- Examine Reynolds number effects, particularly high Reynolds/Low Mach Number excursions.