Free wing assembly for an aircraft

A free wing is attached to a fuselage of an aircraft in a manner such that the wing is free to pivot about a spanwise axis forward of its aerodynamic center. The wing is angularly displaced about the axis by aerodynamic pitching moments, resulting from lift, and is trimmed through a use of a trimmable free stabilizer comprising a floating canard mounted on a strut rigidly connected to the wing and projected forward from it

Experimental determination of airplane mass and inertial characteristics

Current practices are evaluated for experimentally determining airplane center of gravity, moments of inertia, and products of inertia. The techniques discussed are applicable to bodies other than airplanes. In pitching- and rolling-moment-of-inertia investigations with the airplane mounted on and pivoted about knife edges, the nonlinear spring moments that occur at large amplitudes of oscillation can be eliminated by using the proper spring configuration. The single-point suspension double-pendulum technique for obtaining yawing moments of inertia, products of inertia, and the inclination of the principal axis provides accurate results from yaw-mode oscillation data, provided that the sway-mode effects are minimized by proper suspension rig design. Rocking-mode effects in the data can be isolated

Comparison of trace metal bioavailabilities in European coastal waters using mussels from Mytilus edulis

Mussels from Mytilus edulis complex were used as biomonitors of the trace metals Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn, and Cu at 17 sampling sites to assess the relative bioavailability of metals in coastal waters around the European continent. Because accumulated metal concentrations in a given area can differ temporally, data were corrected for the effect of season before large-scale spatial comparisons were made. The highest concentration of Fe was noted in the North Sea and of Mn in the Baltic. Increased tissue concentrations of Pb were recorded in the mussels from the Bay of Biscay and the Baltic Sea. Low concentrations of metals were determined in the mussels from the Mediterranean Sea and the Northern Baltic. Relatively low geographic variations of Cu and Zn indicate that mussels are able to partially regulate accumulated body concentrations, which means Cu and Zn are, to some extent, independent of environmental concentrations

Operational and performance characteristics of the X-15 spherical, hypersonic flow-direction sensor

X-15 aircraft spherical, hypersonic flow direction sensor - operational and performance characteristics, and flight dat

Comparisons of Predictions of the XB-70-1 Longitudinal Stability and Control Derivatives with Flight Results for Six Flight Conditions

Preliminary correlations of flight-determined and predicted stability and control characteristics of the XB-70-1 reported in NASA TN D-4578 were subject to uncertainties in several areas which necessitated a review of prediction techniques particularly for the longitudinal characteristics. Reevaluation and updating of the original predictions, including aeroelastic corrections, for six specific flight-test conditions resulted in improved correlations of static pitch stability with flight data. The original predictions for the pitch-damping derivative, on the other hand, showed better correlation with flight data than the updated predictions. It appears that additional study is required in the application of aeroelastic corrections to rigid model wind-tunnel data and the theoretical determination of dynamic derivatives for this class of aircraft

Similitude requirements and scaling relationships as applied to model testing

The similitude requirements for the most general test conditions are presented. These similitude requirements are considered in relation to the scaling relationships, test technique, test conditions (including supersonic flow), and test objectives. Particular emphasis is placed on satisfying the various similitude requirements for incompressible and compressible flow conditions. For free flying models tests, the test velocities for incompressible flow are scaled from Froude number similitude requirements and those for compressible flow are scaled from Mach number similitude requirements. The limitations of various test techniques are indicated, with emphasis on the free flying model

MARS Bulletin 2011 - Vol.19 No.23 - Agrometeorological analysis and weather forecast

HIGHLIGHT Mild thermal conditions occurred in the major area of western and northern Europe. Colder than average weather conditions characterized in most of the Balkan Peninsula and Turkey. November proved to be one of the driest in several countries. The long lasting water deficiency affects adversely the winter crops from East-Germany to Ukraine. Weather forecast: Warmer than usual in majority of Europe except British Isles. High amounts of precipitation in France and Germany, scarce amounts for Poland and Spain.JRC.H.4-Monitoring Agricultural Resource

Orion Pad Abort 1 Crew Module Mass Properties Test Approach and Results

The Flight Loads Laboratory at the Dryden Flight Research Center conducted tests to measure the inertia properties of the Orion Pad Abort 1 (PA-1) Crew Module (CM). These measurements were taken to validate analytical predictions of the inertia properties of the vehicle and assist in reducing uncertainty for derived aero performance coefficients to be calculated post-launch. The first test conducted was to determine the Ixx of the Crew Module. This test approach used a modified torsion pendulum test setup that allowed the suspended Crew Module to rotate about the x axis. The second test used a different approach to measure both the Iyy and Izz properties. This test used a Knife Edge fixture that allowed small rotation of the Crew Module about the y and z axes. Discussions of the techniques and equations used to accomplish each test are presented. Comparisons with the predicted values used for the final flight calculations are made. Problem areas, with explanations and recommendations where available, are addressed. Finally, an evaluation of the value and success of these techniques to measure the moments of inertia of the Crew Module is provided

Analysis of an emergency deceleration and descent of the XB-70-1 airplane due to engine damage resulting from structural failure

Analyzing emergency deceleration and descent of XB-70-1 airplane due to engine damage resulting from structural failure for supersonic transport dat

What Factors Make Blind-Box Toys Appealing to Purchase

Blind box toys, which have been a popular attraction for decades, are toys that are randomly packed in boxes. Originally created in Japan, blind box toys have turned into a major success in the United States. However, despite their popularity, there is no understanding of what makes blind box toys enjoyable nor is there any research as to what sets them apart from opening toys in which the user is aware of what is inside. To study this phenomenon, a series of experiments will be conducted to identify the key properties of what makes blind box toys attractive. 20 participants will be surveyed and interviewed to gain insight on their thoughts as they open the blind box toys. Five blind box styles with three boxes from each style will be used in the experiments. We will use two experiments to investigate what makes blind box toys appealing to users. The first experiment will investigate if the order that the blind box toys are opened affects the overall appeal of opening the boxes. The next experiment will identify if the graphic design of the blind box toys affects the appeal of the box as well as its contents to the participants. Results of these two experiments will show what elements of blind box toys makes purchasing and opening appealing