NASA/FAA Tailplane Icing Program: Flight Test Program

TITLE AND SUBTITLE:
NASA/FAA Tailplane Icing Program: Flight Test Program

AUTHOR(S):
Thomas P. Ratvasky, Judith Foss Van Zante, and Alex Sim

REPORT DATE:
March 2000

FUNDING NUMBERS:
WU-548-21-23-00
Interagency Agreement
DTFA03-95-90001

PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES):
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
Cleveland, Ohio 44135-3191

PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER:
E-12126

SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES):
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Washington, DC 20546-0001

REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED:
Technical Paper

SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY REPORT NUMBER:
NASA TP-2000-209908
DOT FAA AR-99-85

SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES:
Thomas P. Ratvasky, NASA Glenn Research Center; Judith Foss Van Zante, Dynacs Engineering Company, Inc., 2001 Aerospace Parkway, Brook Park, Ohio 44142; and Alex Sim, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base, California. Responsible person, Thomas P. Ratvasky, organization code 5840, (216) 433-3905.

ABSTRACT:
This report presents results from research flights that explored the characteristics of an ice-contaminated tailplane using various simulated ice shapes attached to the leading edge of the horizontal tailplane. A clean leading edge provided the baseline case, then three ice shapes were flown in order of increasing severity. Flight tests included both steady state and dynamic maneuvers. The steady state points were 1G wings level and steady heading sideslips. The primary dynamic maneuvers were pushovers to various G-levels; elevator doublets; and thrust transitions. These maneuvers were conducted for a full range of flap positions and aircraft angle of attack where possible. The analysis of this data set has clearly demonstrated the detrimental effects of ice contamination on aircraft stability and controllability. Paths to tailplane stall were revealed through parameter isolation and transition studies. These paths are (1) increasing ice shape severity, (2) increasing flap deflection, (3) high or low speeds, depending on whether the aircraft is in a steady state (high speed) or pushover maneuver (low speed), and (4) increasing thrust. The flight research effort was very comprehensive, but did not examine effects of tailplane design and location, or other aircraft geometry configuration effects. However, this effort provided the role of some of the parameters in promoting tailplane stall. The lessons learned will provide guidance to regulatory agencies, aircraft manufacturers, and operators on ice-contaminated tailplane stall in the effort to increase aviation safety and reduce the fatal accident rate.

SUBJECT TERMS:
Aircraft icing; Tailplane icing; Stability and control; Aerodynamics; Aeroperformance

NUMBER OF PAGES:
166

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2000/TP-2000-209908.pdf
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