Control and Performance During Asymmetrical Powered Flight
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Control and Performance During Asymmetrical Powered Flight Detailed theoretical paper in accordance with the JAA Learning Objectives, US Federal Aviation Regulations and EASA Certification Specifications for Multi-engine Rated Pilots CPL & ATPL Based on Airplane Design Methods as taught by Aeronautical Universities and Flight Test Techniques as taught by Experimental Test Pilot Schools January 2012 Harry Horlings Lt-Col RNLAF, ret'd Graduate USAF Test Pilot School AvioConsult Independent Aircraft Expert and Consultant – Committed to Improve Aviation Safety – Copyright © 2012, AvioConsult. All rights reserved. AvioConsult Control and Performance During Asymmetrical Powered Flight The author is a retired Lt-Col of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, graduate Flight Test Engineer of the USAF Test Pilot School, Edwards Air Force Base, California, USA (Dec. 1985) and experienced private pilot. Following a career of 15 years in (experimental) flight-testing, of which the last 5 years as chief experimental flight-test, he founded AvioConsult and dedicated himself to improving the safety of aviation using his knowledge of experimental flight-testing. Copyright © 2012, AvioConsult. All rights reserved. The copyright of this paper belongs to and remains with AvioConsult unless specifically stated otherwise. By accepting this paper, the recipient agrees that neither this paper nor the information disclosed herein nor any part thereof shall be reproduced or transferred to other documents or used by or disclosed to others for any purpose except as specifically authorized in writing by AvioConsult. AvioConsult has written this paper in good faith, but no representation is made or guarantee given (either express or implied) as to the completeness of the information it contains. By accepting this paper, the recipient agrees that AvioConsult will not be liable for any direct or indirect loss arising from the use of the information and materiel contained in this paper. An oral presentation to accompany this paper is available as well. This paper and many more papers can be downloaded from the Downloads Page of: https://www.avioconsult.com/. Paper date: 2012-01-18. Change: 2020-07-01. 2 Copyright © 2012, AvioConsult. All rights reserved. AvioConsult Control and Performance During Asymmetrical Powered Flight CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................................................ 4 1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................................... 5 2. FORCES AND MOMENTS ...................................................................................................................................... 5 2.1. Forces .............................................................................................................................................................. 5 2.2. Moments .......................................................................................................................................................... 5 2.3. Straight equilibrium flight with an inoperative engine .................................................................................... 6 3. AIRPLANE CONTROL WHILE AN ENGINE IS INOPERATIVE ........................................................................ 6 3.1. Engine failure .................................................................................................................................................. 6 3.2. Recovery ......................................................................................................................................................... 7 3.3. Straight flight with wings level ....................................................................................................................... 8 3.4. Straight flight with zero sideslip ..................................................................................................................... 8 3.5. Straight flight with no or only partial rudder ................................................................................................... 9 3.6. Control during turns ...................................................................................................................................... 10 3.7. Engine-out Trainer – University of North Dakota ......................................................................................... 10 3.8. Conclusion best balance ................................................................................................................................ 10 4. VMCA AND TAIL SIZE ............................................................................................................................................ 10 5. VARIABLE FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE VMCA .............................................................................................. 11 5.1. Effect of bank angle and weight on VMCA ..................................................................................................... 12 5.2. Critical engine ............................................................................................................................................... 14 5.3. Engine thrust; altitude and temperature ......................................................................................................... 16 1 5.4. Control deflection (-) .................................................................................................................................. 16 5.5. Slipstream effects .......................................................................................................................................... 16 5.6. Propellers; wind milling, feathering .............................................................................................................. 17 5.7. Effect of center of gravity on VMCA ............................................................................................................... 17 5.8. Rudder boosting (-) ....................................................................................................................................... 18 5.9. Landing gear, flaps, slats and spoilers (-) ...................................................................................................... 18 5.10. Ground effect (-)............................................................................................................................................ 19 5.11. Stall speed (-) ................................................................................................................................................ 19 5.12. Configuration changes (-) .............................................................................................................................. 19 6. MINIMUM CONTROL SPEEDS – DEFINITIONS AND TESTING .................................................................... 19 6.1. Seven defined minimum control speeds ........................................................................................................ 19 6.2. VMCA testing .................................................................................................................................................. 20 6.3. Definition of VMCA for pilots ......................................................................................................................... 21 6.4. Minimum control speed – ground (VMCG) ..................................................................................................... 21 6.5. VMCG testing .................................................................................................................................................. 22 6.6. Definition of VMCG for pilots ......................................................................................................................... 22 6.7. Effect of crosswind and runway condition on VMCG ..................................................................................... 22 6.8. Minimum control speed – landing (VMCL)..................................................................................................... 22 6.9. VMCL testing ................................................................................................................................................... 23 6.10. Definition of VMCL for pilots ......................................................................................................................... 23 6.11. Many more minimum control speeds. ........................................................................................................... 23 7. PERFORMANCE WHILE AN ENGINE IS INOPERATIVE ................................................................................ 23 7.1. Engine-out performance ................................................................................................................................ 23 7.2. Polar curve .................................................................................................................................................... 24 8. FLIGHT OPERATIONS WITH AN INOPERATIVE ENGINE ............................................................................. 24 8.1. VMCA in Airplane Flight Manuals and Cockpits ............................................................................................ 24 8.2. The operational use of VMCA ........................................................................................................................