DOCUMENT RESUME ED 272 386 SE 046 880 AUTHOR Ethell, Jeffrey L. TITLE NASA and General Aviation. NASA SP-485. INSTITUTION National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC. Scientific and Technical Information Branch. PUB DATE 86 NOTE 137p. AVAILABLE FROMSuperintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. PUB TYPE Reference Materials General (130) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC06 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Accident Prevention; *Aerospace Industry; *Aviation Mechanics; *Aviation Technology; Engines; Power Technology; Safety; Science Education; Science History; *Space Sciences; *Technological Advancement; Technology IDENTIFIERS *General Aviation; *National Aeronautics and Space Administration ABSTRACT A detailed examination of the nature and function of general aviation and a discussion of how the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) helps keep it on the cutting edge of technology are offered in this publication. The intricacies of aerodynamics, energy, and safety as well as the achievements in aeronautical experimentation are presented. Topic areas include: (1) what is general aviation; (2) aerodynamic efficiency; (3) internal combustion engines; (4) turbine engines; (5) commuter aviation; (6) general aviation utility; (7) safety improvements; (8) electronics and avionics; and (9) the future of general aviation. The field of general aviation is upheld as a dynamic and vital national asset to the United States economy and leadership potential. (ML) **********************************a************************************ Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** NASA SP -485 NASA and General Aviation Jeffrey L. Ethell Scientific and Technical Information Branch 1986 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Washington, DC 3 1 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Ethel!, Jeffrey L NASA and general aviation. (NASA SP ; 485) 1.Private flying United States. 2 United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration I Title II. Series. TL721.4 E84 1986 629.133' 340422 85-31931 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 4 CONTENTS FOREWORD vii PREFACE ix 1 What Is General Aviation? 1 2Aerodynamic Efficiency 7 3Internal Combustion Engines 21 4Turbine Engines 51 5Commuter Aviation 63 6General Aviation Utility 73 7 Safety Improvements 79 8Electronics and Avionics 107 9The Future 127 ABOUT THE AUTHOR 131 v FOREWORD In 1915 a far-seeing United States Congress created the Na- tional Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). Its purpose: improve and develop American aviation, which was then in its in- fancy. Today NACA's successor, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), has a much broader mission. But as its name implies, NASA is still very much involved with aeronautics. Yet until now, the agency's important role in "general aviation" has lever been fully told. I find this rather astonishing, for in sheer numbers of planes, pilots, and air operations, general aviation is by far the largest single component of all U.S. aviation--civil and military. NASA and General Aviation should do much to correct any possible misconception about the fine working relationship be- tween the agency and the aircraft industry. Though perhaps not generally known, the industry continues to rely heavily on the basic technology that NASA and its predecessor have de'..2loped during decades of research.Itis this traditional government. industry relationship that propelled America to a position of leadership in world aviation and space. But as the author clearly points out, our leadership in some key technical areas is eroding. This is especially true in general avia- tion. While it is the biggest segment of a-9 total aircraft industry, it still gets the smallest share of any federal funding budgeted for aerospace research. Foreign nations, on the other hand, have different priorities. Several of them are striving for preeminence in all fields of fl'ght. Consequently, a subsidized foreign industry puts U.S. manufac- turers at a distinct disadvantage. If we wish to compete effectively in world markets, then we must dedicate the talent and resources necessary to advance our technology. The selection of Jeff Ethell to tell this enlightening story is com- mendable. Few full-time authors have the skills to communicate technical subjects in other than highly complex terms. Jeff Ethell, an experienced pilot and an accomplished writer, is such a profes- sional. vii Besides exploring the intricacies of aerodynamics, energy, and safety, the author reveals a number of little-known facts about some truly incredible achievements in the history of aeronautical experimentation and progress. He not only details what NASA and NACA have done for general aviation over the years, but he also treats us to an impressive look ahead. Anticipatedimprovementsintomorrow'saircraftutility, whether the use is for business, agriculture, or some other com- mercial application, appear just as exciting as the scientific developments in technology. New concepts in composite materials and metallic structures, along with revolutionary advances in systems integration, will pro- vide the next generation of aircraft with significantly higher per- formance, reliability, and efficiency. And new innovations in com- puter technology and production techniques may result in a total- ly new kind of airplane. But to achieve these goals will take more than the imagination and ingenuity of design engineers and builders. It will take broad- based public support, a recognition that general aviation is a ma- jor contributor to America's economic security. This is a splendid work, the definitive book on the many technical wonders of a dynamic and vital national asset. That is why I hope it receives the widest exposure possible. In fact,it should be required reading for anyone with even a modicum of in- fluence in shaping our nation's future. James R. Grcenvic.,nd Retired Senio- Vice President Gates Learje Corporation PREFACE General aviation remains the single most misunderstood sector of aeronautics in the United States. Airline companies make the news on a regular basis and travel on the major carriers is taken for granted, yet they comprise but 10% of all U.S. nonmilitary flight operations. The remainder belongs to general aviation, one of the major keys to American business success. This book will give you a detailed look at how general aviation functions and how NASA helps keep it on the cutting edge of technology in airfoils, airframes, commuter travel, environmental concerns, engines, propellers, air traffic control, agricultural development, electronics, and safety. No doubt some of you will be surprised to find that there is so much activity in general avia- tion. This is not simply the weekend pilot who wants to take a spin, but also the businessman who relies on aircraft to get him where he is going whet. he wants to go, the corporation that wants sophisticated jet transportation for its executives, the family that wants to travel where no major airline terminal exists, the farmer who wishes to have his crops protected, the mission pilot who transports spiritual and physical aid over &arise jungle terrain, the medivac team that requires rapid transportation for an accident victim or transplant recipient. And the list of benefits goes on. If there was ever a time when NASA's aid was pivotal to general aviation's survival, it is now. Come along with me, as we take a look into a fascinating and seldom seen world through the eyes of NASA and its numerous programs. s IX CHAPTER 1 WHAT IS GENERAL AVIATION? few people are aware of it, general aviation, all civil flying activity except airline operations, accounts for 98 per- cent of the nation's 215 000 aircraft and 96 percent of its 815 000 pilots. It is by far the most active and the most diverse of all aviation operations. When combining the amount of airline and general aviation flying, the airlines account for only 10 percent of the total hours and operations flown. And the majority, around 80 percent by some estimates, of general aviation flyingis for business purposes, serving all of the nation's 14 746 airports while theairlinesreach only 733 (or 5 percent). The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) includes air taxi and commuter aircraft under its general aviation research pro- grams while excluding rotorcraft. Though the public conception of general aviation is that of private owners flying for pleasure, the opposite is true, particularly in these days of less discretionary income. It includes every kind of piloted airborne vehicle from ultralight powered hang gliders and balloons to airline-size corporate jets. Not only does the business community rely very heavily on general aviation to function, but the U.S. balance of trade is heavi- ly dependent on the export of aircraft. In 1979, civil aircraft sales resulted in a net positive contribution of $10 billion to our trade balance. In the past 20 years, the U.S. share of total exports of the major industrialized nations has dropped oy almost one-third, while U.S. civil aircraft export sales have increased ninefold, and now sustain over 60 percent of the total civil aircraft work force. I 9 NASA and General Aviation More than 90 percent of all general aviation aircraft in the world originated in U.S. factories, and the market