XC-142A Aircraft Flight Tests Landing Strip Evaluations
Abstract:
Tests were conducted at four sites in California to determine the capability of the XC-142A aircraft to operate on or hover over unprepared or expediently surfaced landing strips. Soil data were collected from eight sites, but only four of the sites were used for subsequent flight tests. Results of the tests indicated that the overall performance of the XC-142A was good. Rutting was moderate at every test site except one. However, results also indicated that the flotation characteristics of the nose gear should be increased, and means should be provided to prevent future derimming as occurred at one of the test sites. Additional study of the relation of wing angle versus soil recirculation is also needed. After the flight tests had been completed, a mineralogical analysis of soil samples from the four sites was made.