MA 3703 Flight Dynamics

Quiz 1
12 Sep 2014 Time: 50 min


1. A fighter aircraft has built-in instability level of 4% (SM = -0.04) for most part of its flight in
subsonic flights (M < 1). Then the following statement describes nature of its longitudinal
stability. Retain correct option from amongst underlined words by striking off wrong ones:
In supersonic flight (M >1) at same CG as in subsonic flight, the aircraft will have: increased
instability of 21% OR substantially large static margin (SM) of 21% OR nominal SM of 4%
Why? Draw sketches to support your choice for M < 1 & M > 1 showing CG, NP and
instability level or SM as applicable on MAC.

0.04 0.21 Instability level = 4% : CG behind NP for M< 1
Shift in NP



2. An aircraft with built-in longitudinal stability has a Canard surface located ahead of its wing
instead of a horizontal tail behind the wing. Stall angle of the Canard is given to be 16, lower
than wing stall angle of 18. Then two aerodynamic features of the aircraft with Canard
describing Trim Drag and Stall are one amongst the choices given below. Retain correct option
by striking off wrong ones:
The aircraft has trim drag benefit OR trim drag penalty OR same trim drag as compared to
aft tail configuration which is stable. Illustrate your answer by suitable sketches.
L
C
Canard Load L
W
Wing Lift

CG W
W = L
W
+ L
C
Lower Wing lift results in reduction in induced drag compared to aft tail
Also the aircraft stalls at 16 OR 18 OR does not stall at all. Explain why?

Aircraft does not stall at all! The moment Canard stalls the aircraft nose drops and this prevents
the canard from stalling.
Page 1/5
CG Aft shift in NP from M< 1 to M> 1 approximately 0.25
0.25 SM changes from -0.04 for M< 1 to +0.21 for M>1
NP: M< 1 NP:M> 1
3. Neutral Point (NP) of an aircraft is often seen as aerodynamic property of the aircraft. Nature of
aerodynamic flow over an aircraft flying near ground is different than the flow it experiences
when it flies up and away from the ground. Then the following statements bring out essential
differences in the two flows and their effects. Strike out wrong answers retaining correct ones:
Retain correct option by striking off wrong ones:
When flying close to ground wing downwash field at tail increases OR decreases.
The horizontal tail contribution to aircraft stability increases OR decreases.
Accordingly NP of the aircraft moves forward OR aft in ground effect.
Explain with suitable sketches changes in the flow at the tail with and without ground effects and
corresponding pitching moment characteristics.

Tail experiences a reduced downwash field due to image system of wing tip vortex pair near
ground and the NP shifts aft making the SM higher in ground effects.
4. A subsonic aircraft is trimmed in level flight at some altitude h
1
at an angle of attack = 4 using
an elevator deflection of
e1
. The aircraft with same CG and weight flying at higher altitude of h
2

(> h
1
) needs higher of 8 to fly level and uses elevator of
e2
to trim. For manoeuvring the same
aircraft at = 6 at the altitude of h
1
, the elevator required is
e3
. For these three flight conditions
one or more of the following is/are correct. Given
e0
is elevator angle intercept value
extrapolated for = 0 case
a)
e2
= 2
e1

e0
and
e2
>
e3

b)
e2
= 2
e1
+
e0
and
e2
<
e3

c)
e2
= 2
e1

e0
and
e2
<
e3

d)
e2
= 2
e1
+
e0
and
e2
>
e3
Draw
e
Vs variation for above three flight conditions to explain your choice
Page 2/5
5. A transport aircraft has positively cambered wing and symmetric airfoil for its aft tail. The AC of
the wing for this aircraft is found to be located behind the aircraft CG. For such an aircraft, ONE
or MORE of the following is/are correct
a) both fuselage and wing contributions to longitudinal stability are negative
b) both fuselage and wing contributions to longitudinal stability are positive
c) fuselage contribution to longitudinal stability is negative and the wing
contribution positive
d) fuselage contribution to longitudinal stability is positive and the wing
contribution is negative
Support your choice by suitable plots/sketches C
M
Fuselage

CG AC Wing Wing
Fuselage contribution for stability is always negative.
For aircraft CG ahead of wing AC the wing contribution for stability is positive


6. Trim tab is provided at trailing edge of elevator. One of the following statements is correct:
a) trim tab is deflected in the same direction as the elevator to relieve pilot load
by reducing net control surface hinge moment to zero
b) trim tab is deflected in the direction opposite to the elevator to relieve pilot
load by reducing net control surface hinge moment to zero
c) to provide additional lift for maneuverability
d) none of the above

Draw suitable sketches to explain your choice

Tab is deflected opposite to elevator deflection to trim elevator hinge moment. (stick force zero )


Page 3/5
7. The CG of a transport aircraft at take off was at 10% MAC (behind leading edge of the mean
aerodynamic chord). After 5 hours of flight, the CG location moved to 13% MAC. Further the
CG moved to 8% MAC location after 8 hours of flight, prior to landing. The stick fixed neutral
point NP of the aircraft is at 16% MAC. Then ONE or MORE of the following is/are correct:
a) static margin SM initially reduces after take off and increases at landing
b) static margin SM initially increases after take off and decreases at landing
c) assuming cruise C
L
to be nearly same, the elevator angle (
e
) to trim the aircraft after 5
hours of flight, increases and then
e
decreases in cruise segment prior to its descent for
landing
d) assuming cruise C
L
to be nearly same, the elevator angle (
e
) to trim the aircraft after 5
hours of flight, decreases and then
e
increases in cruise segment prior to its descent for
landing
Support your choice in
e
Vs C
L
curve for a range of CG or any other sketch or plot.

8% 10% 13% 16% Time TO 5 hr 13hr
SM 6% 3% 8%
CG:13hr TO 5hr NP
e

NP : 16%

5hr
13hr TO C
L

8. Elevator control power (C
me
) is related to tail efficiency factor (
T
) and ONE or
MORE of the following parameters:
a) lift curve slope of the tail a
T

b) tail volume coefficient V
H

c) down wash gradient d/d at the tail
d) flap effectiveness of elevator


Write down the expression of elevator control power also giving proper sign
C
me
= -
T
V
H
a
T
< 0
Page 4 of 5
9. Directional stability C
n
due to wing location (high/low) and wing sweep are described below.
Choose your correct answer(s) from the following:
a) high wing is stable and sweep back is unstable
b) high wing is unstable and sweep back is stable
c) low wing is stable and sweep back is unstable
d) low wing is unstable and sweep back is stable
Draw suitable sketches bringing out wing flow affecting the above



10. Fighter aircraft carry large and heavy drop tanks (with associated drag) mounted on pylons below
the wings symmetrically on either side. Sometimes these aircraft fly with asymmetric flight
configuration with large drop hanging below the wing on one side. Assuming right wing to be
clean we have one of the following correct:

a) aileron on the heavier side has to be deflected upwards and rudder to be deflected opposite
side of heavy wing for flying with wings level and with zero side slip
b) aileron on the heavier side has to be deflected upwards and rudder to be deflected towards
heavier wing for flying with wings level and with zero side slip
c) aileron on the heavier side has to be deflected downwards and rudder to be deflected to the
side of heavy wing for flying with wings level and with zero side slip
d) aileron on the heavier side has to be deflected upwards and rudder to be deflected towards
heavier wing for flying with wings level and with zero side slip

Show rolling moment and yawing moment imbalance in asymmetric flight configuration and control
actions required to trim these moments. Up
RM

Down Drop Tank RM



Down Up
Drag
Heavy Side Lighter Side
Rudder Force Page 5of 5
OPPOSITE
Rudder
Deflection