Author: Vincent A. Grosso

Publisher:

Published: 1961

Total Pages: 50

ISBN-13:

The equations representing the motion of an aircraft's center of gravity in three-dimensional space are derived and analyzed in cartesian and polar coordinates. The importance of variable, rotating winds on an aircraft's performance is determined from an analytical investigationof the derived equations. The equations are reduced to two dimensional space to allow a simplified investigation on an IBM 704 digital computer. Performance parameters for a hypothetical Mach Two aircraft climbing under the influence of vertical wind gradients are computedl. It is illustrated from the computations that flying reciprocal heading or attempting to fly crosswind when climbing with the hope of eliminating gradient effects is of no practical value. A method of correcting the rate of change of specific energy for the effects of gradients induced by winds changing in magnitude and direction as a function of altitude is developed. The correction equations are applied to computed climbs to illustrate their effectiveness. An outline for using the correction equations on flight test data is also included.