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Full-Text Articles in Aerospace Engineering

Computational Aerodynamic Analysis Of Converging Free Jets, George Wayman Hatcher Dec 2004

Computational Aerodynamic Analysis Of Converging Free Jets, George Wayman Hatcher

Masters Theses

The aerodynamics of converging free jets was studied to determine the characteristics of the flow field involved in the manufacture of meltblown fibers. The two-dimensional computational fluid dynamic analysis was validated through comparison to boundary layer theory. The converging jet geometry consisted of two symmetric rectangular channels 30º from the axis of symmetry, 0.013 inches wide, converging toward a free expansion region at standard atmospheric conditions. The two channels were 0.015 inches apart at the exit, and the perpendicular wall region between them was flush with the upper and lower plate faces of the meltblowing die. Upstream boundary conditions of …


Development Of F/A-18 Spin Departure Demonstration Procedure With Departure Resistant Flight Control Computer Version 10.7, David J. Park Dec 2004

Development Of F/A-18 Spin Departure Demonstration Procedure With Departure Resistant Flight Control Computer Version 10.7, David J. Park

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the capability to demonstrate F/A-18 Hornet departure characteristics, mainly the spin, with Flight Control Computer (FCC) Operation Flight Program (OFP) Version 10.7 (v10.7). Version 10.7 was released to the Navy and Marine Corps F/A-18A/B/C/D fleet in 2003. Version 10.7 was developed based on the existing FCC OFP (v10.5.1) to minimize out-of-control flight or departure related mishaps. Version 10.7 was only a software upgrade and no hardware change to the existing F/A-18 was made. Version 10.7 was remarkable since most of the known F/A-18 departure prone flight envelopes were rendered departure free by …


Analysis Of Pilot Performance Using Precision Visual Flight Rules, Thomas Morrissey Dec 2004

Analysis Of Pilot Performance Using Precision Visual Flight Rules, Thomas Morrissey

Masters Theses

Precision Visual Flight Rules (PVFR) seeks to allow helicopter pilots to fly predetermined routes in high density traffic areas with greater precision by using a Global Positioning System (GPS). An analysis of the cross-track error during the PVFR developmental testing is presented. The primary objective is to determine the dominant factors which effect pilot performance using this higher standard of precision. Factors which are investigated include: total flight time, recent helicopter flight time, pilot ratings, and experience with the particular aircraft and GPS model. A conclusion is presented on which factors need to be addressed before opening up PVFR routes …


The Most Important Aviation System: The Human Team And Decision Making In The Modern Cockpit, John Cody Allee Aug 2004

The Most Important Aviation System: The Human Team And Decision Making In The Modern Cockpit, John Cody Allee

Masters Theses

The most critical aviation system is the human operator in the cockpit of modern aircraft. Regardless of the advancements in microelectronics and automated decision-making apparatus, the human will still remain ultimately responsible for the safety of those in the air and on the ground. Humans, however, are not entirely predictable or consistent when functioning in this capacity. The relationship between crewmembers becomes a critical aspect of this system, and this paper focuses on methods to improve both individual and especially crew decision-making in aviation. Concepts and structure from the Navy’s Crew Resource Management program are used as the background for …


A Model For The Application Of Test And Evaluation Concepts By The Air Element Of The Canadian Forces During The Materiel Acquisition And Support Lifecycle, Troy M. Crosby Aug 2004

A Model For The Application Of Test And Evaluation Concepts By The Air Element Of The Canadian Forces During The Materiel Acquisition And Support Lifecycle, Troy M. Crosby

Masters Theses

Recent experience has proven that the Test and Evaluation (T&E) terms and responsibilities described in Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces policies and orders – particularly those related to the Category flight test system – are poorly understood and frequently in conflict with contemporary approaches to Materiel Acquisition & Support. As a result, financial and airworthiness authorities may not be recognizing the benefits inherent to the timely application of T&E by the Air element of the Canadian Forces during the Materiel Acquisition & Support lifecycle. At the same time, the on-going inconsistent application of T&E is resulting in frustration …


Integration Of The Join Direct Attack Munition On The F-14b Tomcat, Paul J. Filardi Aug 2004

Integration Of The Join Direct Attack Munition On The F-14b Tomcat, Paul J. Filardi

Masters Theses

Leading up to and including most of the Vietnam War, the U.S. military’s air-to-ground weapons consisted mainly of unguided freefall bombs. Their accuracy was limited and therefore required multiple aircraft to attack the same target, sometimes over and over again. The costs were high in effort, aircraft and lives. In May 1972, a flight of F-4 Phantom aircraft employed new weapons, called laser-guided bombs, against a seemingly indestructible bridge. When the smoke cleared, the bridge that had taken seven years and almost 900 dedicated attack flights was destroyed and the age of smart weapons had begun.

During the 1990’s the …


Aircraft Turbulence Detection And Display From The Professional Pilot’S Perspective, Leslie Owen Kagey Aug 2004

Aircraft Turbulence Detection And Display From The Professional Pilot’S Perspective, Leslie Owen Kagey

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the detection and display of weather avoidance information to commercial airline, business aircraft, and general aviation aircraft cockpits from the perspective of the professional pilot.

A flight campaign was conducted over a period of three years. Convective weather detection was attempted utilizing an experimental airborne weather radar installed on NASA’s Airborne Research Integrated Experiments Systems (ARIES) Boeing 757. Additionally ground-based Next Generation Radar (NEXRAD) information and textual data was linked to the aircraft for correlation. It was determined after encountering several heavy turbulence events that radar detection and conventional displays alone were …


How They Flew: Modern Flight Test Of Pioneering Wright Aircraft, Klas Walace Ohman Aug 2004

How They Flew: Modern Flight Test Of Pioneering Wright Aircraft, Klas Walace Ohman

Masters Theses

The first controlled and sustained powered flight was arguably the single most important transformational world event of the 20th century. This accomplishment just over 100 years ago on the isolated, cold and windy Outer Banks of North Carolina was nothing short of miraculous. What enabled two bicycle mechanics from Dayton, Ohio to succeed where many others had tried and failed is also most incredible. However, unlike some other technical advancements, primarily either the Wrights or those interviewing them tell this story - with little independent verification. It is precisely for this reason that re-tracing the steps of these pioneers …


The Influence Of Organization Culture On Aviation Safety – A Case Study Of A United States Navy Fa-18 Landing Mishap, Peter J. Kind Aug 2004

The Influence Of Organization Culture On Aviation Safety – A Case Study Of A United States Navy Fa-18 Landing Mishap, Peter J. Kind

Masters Theses

Aviation safety has improved dramatically in the last 50 years as evidenced by declining mishap rates. Improvements in aviation safety have come about primarily through work on two fronts; mechanical improvements (aircraft and its support systems) and human improvements (human interface, training and process interaction). Safety improvements on the hardware side of aviation have come relatively quickly and continuously, paralleling advances in engineering and science. Today’s aircraft have become extremely reliable machines with redundancy built into every system.

Unfortunately, while the overall aviation mishap rate has declined, the percentage of accidents attributed to “human error” has steadily increased. Strides in …


The Results Of The T-45 Main Landing Gear Uplock Investigation And The Effect That Organization Structure Had On Them, Christina Marie Stack Aug 2004

The Results Of The T-45 Main Landing Gear Uplock Investigation And The Effect That Organization Structure Had On Them, Christina Marie Stack

Masters Theses

The T-45, a military jet trainer aircraft for the Navy, recently experienced two cases of an uncommanded main landing gear extension during high airspeed and high g conditions. These events resulted in an investigation to understand the cause. The initial response to the mishaps was to limit the fleet to lower airspeeds since both mishaps occurred at high speeds. This limitation was not extensively restrictive for fleet operations; however, it was limiting for acceptance flights and functional check flights of aircraft. During the investigations, two different mechanical problems were discovered in the main landing gear uplock mechanism. This mechanism is …


H-53e Super Stallion/Sea Dragon Auxiliary Power Plant Power Survey, Patrick Joseph Twomey May 2004

H-53e Super Stallion/Sea Dragon Auxiliary Power Plant Power Survey, Patrick Joseph Twomey

Masters Theses

This research has provided possible explanations to failures experienced in the P-7-2 Auxiliary Power Plant reduction gearbox as installed on the CH-53E Super Stallion and MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopters. Ground testing with the rotors static was conducted during two separate phases from March 1995 to December 1995. Reduction gearbox loading was measured, resulting in the identification of several detrimental over and transient loads. Loading reduction techniques are investigated, discussed, and/or evaluated for U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps fleet introduction viability.


Testing Near Airspeed Limits During Safe Separation Flight Test, Peter J. Walczak May 2004

Testing Near Airspeed Limits During Safe Separation Flight Test, Peter J. Walczak

Masters Theses

Although all flight tests possess their own inherent risks, safe store separation tests, especially those targeting release conditions at or near maximum sanctioned clearance limits, add more hazards to an already bloated list of obstacles. Since the success of most modern flight test programs is measured in terms of cost, schedule, and performance, an unsuccessful test flight can add tens of thousands of dollars and months to an already beleaguered program. With ever-increasing flight hour costs and dwindling budgets, reducing or eliminating unnecessary or unsuccessful sorties is essential. The trick, then, is to fly to achieve desired test conditions, yet …


The Need For Accelerated Integration Of The Multifunctional Information Distribution System In The Fa-18c Hornet, William S. Koyama May 2004

The Need For Accelerated Integration Of The Multifunctional Information Distribution System In The Fa-18c Hornet, William S. Koyama

Masters Theses

The FA-18 Hornet is a fourth-generation, supersonic, multi-role aircraft designed and built by the Boeing Aircraft Company, primarily for use as a single-seat US Navy and Marine Corps carrier-based strike/fighter. The Hornet has also been successful in the dual seat variant as both a trainer, and as a land-based aircraft for the Marines. All A through D variants have been marketed internationally as well. While the newer “E” and “F” variants are significantly different from the A through D variants in size and range and endurance capabilities, the avionics suites and capabilities are nearly identical. Except where noted, discussions of …


Proposed Design For Ea-6b Icap Iii Weapon-System Alert Display, Andre Laurence Mercier May 2004

Proposed Design For Ea-6b Icap Iii Weapon-System Alert Display, Andre Laurence Mercier

Masters Theses

The EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft is undergoing a major weapon system improvement referred to as Improved Capabilities Three (ICAP III). The ICAP III upgrade presents an opportunity to improve the existing aircraft system for alerting the crew of potential weapon system problems.

This thesis provides a recommended design for display of weapon-system alerts in production Lot 1 configured EA-6B ICAP III aircraft. Human factors engineering methods, the ICAP III system performance specification and the author’s experience employing electronic warfare weapon systems were used to define required alerts. These tools along with human factors engineering research and software best practice …


F/A-18a-D Flight Control Computer Ofp Versions 10.6.1 And 10.7 Developmental Flight Testing: Out-Of-Controlled Flight Test Program Yields Reduced Falling Leaf Departure Susceptibility And Enhanced Aircraft Maneuverability, Eric John Mitchell May 2004

F/A-18a-D Flight Control Computer Ofp Versions 10.6.1 And 10.7 Developmental Flight Testing: Out-Of-Controlled Flight Test Program Yields Reduced Falling Leaf Departure Susceptibility And Enhanced Aircraft Maneuverability, Eric John Mitchell

Masters Theses

This thesis analyzes the recent Version 10.7 Operational Flight Program (v10.7 OFP) Flight Control System upgrade to the F/A-18A-D (legacy) Hornet fighter aircraft. This developmental program endeavored to improve high angle-of-attack (AOA) maneuverability while vastly reducing the aircraft’s susceptibility to sustained out-of- controlled flight events.

Although the original F/A-18 Hornet, designated F/A-18A through F/A-18D, has been acclaimed for its departure resistance as well as its exceptional maneuverability as a fighter aircraft, the model, in actuality, has suffered from significant losses due to out-of- controlled flight (OCF) mishaps. Since its development in the early 1980s, eighteen Hornets have been lost to …


Incorporating Practical Experience With Aeronautical Design Standard 33 In The United States Naval Test Pilot School Rotary Wing Curriculum, Jeffrey Scott Dodge May 2004

Incorporating Practical Experience With Aeronautical Design Standard 33 In The United States Naval Test Pilot School Rotary Wing Curriculum, Jeffrey Scott Dodge

Masters Theses

In the last decade, the world of helicopter testing has been significantly changed by the research involved in creating the latest military design specification named Army Design Specification 33, or ADS-33. ADS-33 has moved away from the use of traditional time-based methods of examining a helicopter’s response to control inputs to a method of comparing a helicopter’s response to the frequency of control input. ADS-33 also incorporates stylized but repeatable Mission Task Elements as a replacement for general mission-representative maneuvers. The research community has embraced this new theory and many test and research programs make use of ADS-33 methodology.

As …


Use Of Commercial Off The Shelf Gps Technology To Solve Guidance Problems With The Improved Tactical Air Launched Decoy (Itald), Scott Kenneth Toppel May 2004

Use Of Commercial Off The Shelf Gps Technology To Solve Guidance Problems With The Improved Tactical Air Launched Decoy (Itald), Scott Kenneth Toppel

Masters Theses

As the capabilities of threat surface-to-air missile systems increased, the US Navy looked to improve upon the performance of the Tactical Air Launched Decoy (TALD), an air launched glider vehicle with switchblade wings designed to resemble attacking aircraft to confuse and saturate enemy air defenses. In the early 1990’s the contractor proposed the Improved Tactical Air Launched Decoy (ITALD), a turbo jet powered air-launched vehicle which tripled the existing range and added a radar altimeter to simulate low level attacks.

In 1998, after several design iterations, the Naval Air Warfare Center at Point Mugu tested the ITALD for suitability in …


Cfd Modeling Of Dynamic Inlet Flow Distortion Generation, Keith Patrick Savage May 2004

Cfd Modeling Of Dynamic Inlet Flow Distortion Generation, Keith Patrick Savage

Masters Theses

Integrating a jet engine into an airframe involves many design and testing steps. The development of high performance fighter aircraft has added new requirements to this process. Ground test facilities are used to simulate the effect of inlet shape on the performance of an engine for cruise flight or other fixed conditions. While a static simulation of the inlet shape is adequate for most circumstance, military fighter craft are highly maneuverable, altering the inlet airflow intensely and briefly. These transient distortions can have a significant impact on performance as well as having the potential of causing structural problems. In addition …


Unique Aspects Of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Testing, Mark David Lower May 2004

Unique Aspects Of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Testing, Mark David Lower

Masters Theses

The purpose of this paper is to examine the applicability of established manned aircraft test techniques and processes to the testing of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). While the paper is largely focused on the Naval Aviation perspective, input from several joint programs as well as some Air Force and Army testing is included. In addition, although handled differently, the testing of the Tomahawk Cruise Missile is also considered. Processes associated with test planning, risk mitigation and airworthiness are considered in some detail. Much of this document is drawn from UAV flight test experience compiled in a draft Advisory Group for …


Conceptual Design Of A Lunar Shuttle Transport Vehicle, Matthew David Finney May 2004

Conceptual Design Of A Lunar Shuttle Transport Vehicle, Matthew David Finney

Masters Theses

In 1961 the former Soviet Union successfully launched the first human into space marking the beginning of the “Space Race” with the United States. Forty years later, the United States and Russia are working together in support of the International Space Station (ISS). The US Space Shuttle fleet and Russian Soyuz capsule and rockets are being used to replenish the ISS. In light of the latest shuttle accident and aging systems, NASA has been pursing alternatives to replace the shuttle fleet.

This study is a conceptual design of a spacecraft designed to meet the following requirements: 1. Transport a crew …


Assessment Of The Ah-64d Longbow Apache’S Handling Qualities For Instrument Meteorological Conditions/Instrument Flight Rules Flight, Michael J. Meely May 2004

Assessment Of The Ah-64d Longbow Apache’S Handling Qualities For Instrument Meteorological Conditions/Instrument Flight Rules Flight, Michael J. Meely

Masters Theses

An assessment of the handling of the AH-64D for flight in IMC and under IFR was conducted. Testing was performed in the configurations listed in table 1 and under the conditions presented in tables 3 and 4. All test objectives were met. IMC mission maneuvers with all systems working resulted in satisfactory handling qualities with no excessive compensation required from the pilot (altitude and attitude holds ON). However, as the aircraft systems were progressively degraded the workload for the evaluating pilot increased significantly. The high workload coupled with the absence of a vertical speed indicator (VSI) and torque indication during …


The Investigation Of A Tin Oxide-Based Mems Sensor For Measurement Of Nitrogen Oxides In Aircraft Engine Exhaust, Lisa N. Urman May 2004

The Investigation Of A Tin Oxide-Based Mems Sensor For Measurement Of Nitrogen Oxides In Aircraft Engine Exhaust, Lisa N. Urman

Masters Theses

An investigation was conducted of the performance of a tin oxide-based, MicroElectro Mechanical Sensor for making measurements of NOX levels on gas turbine engine exhaust. This sensor was provided by Makel Engineering, Inc., as a prototype device for evaluation. In this thesis, the MEMS device is described together with its supporting equipment. Tests, and calibrations were performed and evaluations made on the MEMS sensor, and are discussed in three parts: laboratory calibration and evaluation, off-engine installation and performance, and on-engine instillation and performance.

The MEMS device was first tested in a laboratory environment where the temperature and pressure of …


Subcooled Pool Boiling Heat Transfer Using R113 On Flat Surface, Kamleshkumar J. Suthar Apr 2004

Subcooled Pool Boiling Heat Transfer Using R113 On Flat Surface, Kamleshkumar J. Suthar

Masters Theses

Pool boiling experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of subcooling on boiling of R-113 using 25mm effective dia. flat surface copper heater. Pool boiling heat transfer measurements were taken for wide temperature range of 5 - 39o C subcooling and investigated thoroughly. Variation in value of wall superheat of incipience boiling, from 27 to 34o C and 7 to 11o C temperature excursion observed. Noticeable effect of subcooling on boiling heat transfer is observed. Degree of subcooling was maintained constant by regulating pressure and keeping constant fluid temperature for each test run. Tests were conducted by …