QUESTION 1: (compulsory)

[10 Marks]

(a) Distinguish between range and endurance of an airplane

[1]

Range is technically defined as the total distance (measured with

respect to the ground) traversed by an airplane on a tank of fuel.
A related quantity is endurance, which is defined as the total time
that an airplane stays in the air on a tank of fuel. In different
applications, it may be desirable to maximize one or the other of
these characteristics. The parameters that maximize range are
different from those that maximize endurance; they also differ for
propeller- and jet-powered aircraft.

(b) What is meant by stability of an airplane, in what way is it different

from balance/trim? [2]

See lecture notes

(c) With the aid of a diagram, define neutral point.

[1]

The location of c.g. of the airplane at which the airplane is

neutrally stable,
is called the neutral point. It is denoted by x NP.

(d) What is the criterion for static longitudinal stability? Include a plot
in your answer. [1]

When an airplane is disturbed, by a small disturbance, in the

plane of symmetry, it has a tendency to return to the equilibrium
state. In the equilibrium state Mcg is zero and the airplane flies at
an angle of attack of . Mcg is positive nose up, is positive as
shown in the figure below. A disturbance changes to +. Thus
for longitudinal static stability, a positive should bring about
negative:

CM < 0 for static stability

CM = 0 for neutral stability

CM > 0 for instability

(e) What is adverse yaw effects and how is it controlled by rudder?

[1]

See course book

(f) Graphically represent a system which is statistically stable but

dynamically unstable. [2]

A system is said to be statically stable, when a small disturbance

cause forces and moments that tend to move the system towards
its undisturbed position. Whereas a system is said to be
dynamically stable if it eventually returns to its original
equilibrium position.
When a system, after disturbance, goes into a divergent oscillation
or an undamped oscillation, it has only a tendency to return to
equilibrium position but does not eventually return to it (Figures
below). These are examples of systems that have static stability
but no dynamic stability:
(g) State two (2) requirements of directional control.
[1]

Control of rotation of the airplane about the z-axis is provided by

the rudder. The critical conditions for the design of the rudder
are:

adverse yaw,
cross wind take-off and landing,
asymmetric power for multi-engine airplane
spin recovery

(h) State one advantage and disadvantage of using canards for pitch
control. [1]

See lecture notes