Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-j824f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-02T19:12:49.777Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The lateral dynamic stability and control of a large receiver aircraft during air-to-air refuelling

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

A. W. Bloy ,
P. J. Lamont ,
H. A. Abu-Assaf  and
K. A. M. Ali
A. W. Bloy
Affiliation:
Department of Aeronautical Engineering, University of Manchester
P. J. Lamont
Affiliation:
Department of Aeronautical Engineering, University of Manchester
H. A. Abu-Assaf
Affiliation:
Department of Aeronautical Engineering, University of Manchester
K. A. M. Ali
Affiliation:
Department of Aeronautical Engineering, University of Manchester
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

The lateral dynamic stability and control of a large receiver aircraft was considered during air-to-air refuelling. A simple aerodynamic model was developed in order to determine the aerodynamic forces and moments acting on the receiver aircraft due to the tanker aircraft's vortex field. These forces and moments were then expressed in derivative form and included in the linearised equations of motion. Solution of these equations revealed a divergent oscillation, characteristic of air-to-air refuelling and consisting mainly of bank and sideways displacements. An approximation to this mode, which highlights two important aerodynamic derivatives was made. The values of these derivatives depend mainly on the vertical separation between the tanker and receiver aircraft and the ratio of the tanker-to-receiver aircraft wing spans. In flight, it appears that the pilot controls the divergent mode by frequent alternate movements of the ailerons.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 90 , Issue 896 , July 1986 , pp. 237 - 243
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1986 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Bentley, D.B. Private communication. British Aerospace, Aircraft Division, Woodford. 1985.Google Scholar
2. Bradley, J. The handling and performance trials needed to clear an aircraft to act as a receiver during air-to-air refuelling. AGARD Conference Proceedings No 373, Flight Test Techniques, July 1984, Paper 9.Google Scholar
3. Hoganson, E. H. A study of aerodynamic interference effects during aerial refuelling, MS thesis, Air Force Inst of Tech, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, 1983.Google Scholar
4. Abu-assaf, H. A. Flight control problems associated with air-to-air refuelling. MSc thesis, University of Manchester, 1985.Google Scholar
5. Moore, D. W. A numerical study of the roll-up of a finite vortex sheet, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 1974, 63, 225–235.Google Scholar
6. Kuchemann, D. A simple method for calculating the span and chordwise loading on straight and swept wings of any given aspect ratio at subsonic speeds, RAE R Aero 2476, 1952. ARC R&M 2935, 1956.Google Scholar
7.Engineering Sciences Data Unit. Equations of motion of a rigid aircraft, Data sheet no 67003. 1966.Google Scholar
8. Ali, K. A. M. Aircraft stability and control during air-to-air refuelling and flight simulation, MSc thesis to be submitted, University of Manchester.Google Scholar