CH.3B Stability Flashcards
STABILITY
Characteristic that causes plane to return to condition of equilibrium
POSITIVE STATIC STABILITY
The tendency to return to position from which it was displaced
POSITIVE DYNAMIC STABILITY
coupled with positive static stability - does not happen at once, instead over a period of time and several oscillations
MANEUVERABILITY
Permits you to maneuver it easily and allows manueves
CONTROLLABILITY
response to control inputs, especially with regard to attitude and flight path
THREE AXES OF FLIGHT
Longitudinal (roll)
Lateral (pitch)
Vertical (yaw)
CENTER OF PRESSURE
Point on the wing chord where lift is considered to be concentrated AKA CENTER OF LIFT
What determines the longitudinal stability of an airplane?
The location of center of gravity in relation to the center of pressure (lift)
CG
Center of Gravity - The forward and aft limits coincide with the CG
Effects of forward CG
May seem stable but will be nose heavy
longer take off distance
higher stalling speeds
Effects of aft CG
Tail heavy and very unstable in pitch regardless of speed
Stabilator (elevator) may be ineffective for stall or spin recovery
THIS IS MORE dangerous that forward CG
Keep heavier passengers and baggage more far forward
TAIL-DOWN FORCE
The position of the horizontal stabilizer to offset the nose-heavy tendency. It creates a negative angle of attack, negative lift on the tail (downward force), to counteract the hose heaviness.
THRUSTLINE
Where the propeller is mounted and where thrust acts
LATERAL STABILITY
Runs along the longitudinal axis (from nose to tail)
The tendency to resist roll:
Weight distribution
Dihedral
Sweepback (also help vertical axis/directional stability)
Keel effect (also help vertical axis/directional stability)
DIHEDRAL
(Structural design)
The upward angle of the wing with respect to the horizon