Accession Number:

AD0328598

Title:

STABILITY AND CONTROL DERIVATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE X-15 AIRPLANE

Descriptive Note:

Technical memo.

Corporate Author:

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION EDWARDS AFB CA DRYDEN FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER

Personal Author(s):

• WALKER, HAROLD J.
• WOLOWICZ, CHESTER H.

Report Date:

1962-03-01

Pagination or Media Count:

35.0

Abstract:

Flight measurements of the stability and control derivative characteristics have been made up to Mach numbers approaching the design limit 6.0 of the X-15 airplane and to angles of attack as high as 17 degrees. These data are, with minor exceptions, in generally good agreement with the predictions from wind-tunnel tests and theory. No adverse longitudinal characteristics have been uncovered however, an area of reduced lateral-directional stability and poor lateral-directional control has been observed at moderate angles of attack due to a positive trend in the dihedral derivative for Mach numbers above approximately 2.2.

Descriptors:

• *ROCKET AIRCRAFT
• *RESEARCH AIRCRAFT
• STABILITY
• PITCH(MOTION)
• HYPERSONIC VEHICLES
• FLIGHT TESTING
• CONTROL
• ROLL

Subject Categories:

• Research and Experimental Aircraft

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE