TRIM CHARACTERISTICS OF SUPERSONIC AIRCRAFT,
Abstract:
A comparative study of various supersonic aircraft configurations such as conventional delta wing, fixed and free-floating canard types is presented with respect to their trimming characteristics. The influence of various characteristic parameters of an aircraft on the magnitude of trimming lift coefficients and of required relative longitudinal control surfaces is analyzed in detail. A comparison of trimming methods using foreplane and tail surfaces with maximum lift coefficient increments shows the advantage of foreplane surfaces. The results from calculating required relative longitudinal control surfaces with equal trim parameters for landings of various aircraft configurations are given in graphs. The effect of boundary layer control on the magnitude of the required control surface is considered. On the basis of the results of the investigations discussed, it appears that a canard type configuration with application of boundary layer control is the best aerodynamic solution with respect to obtaining an optimal lift coefficient under trimming conditions during takeoffs and landings.