The Use of Flight Simulation to Analyze Aircraft Design and Performance

1
The Use of Flight Simulation to Analyze Aircraft
Design and Performance

• Douglas L .Wilson Chief Test Pilot
• Abraham Gutierrez Chief Systems Engineer
• Anh Huy Nguyen Chief Flight Engineer
• Advisor Basil Philip
• Sponsor Dr. Ron O. Stearman

2
Objectives

• Look into the background of two crashes
• Mooney 305-1998
• Cessna 172H-2000
• Conduct Several Test
• Flight Simulator (X-Planes)
• Real Test (Cessna 172H or similar version)
• Perform Test Runs
• Weather Conditions
• Plane configurations
• Determine if Phugoid Mode can be Demonstrate
• Mooney 305
• Flight Simulator

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

3
Background

• Mooney Rocket 305
• - Engine modification to the Mooney M20K
• - Modified engine caused the aircraft to enter a
  phugoid mode
• Cessna 172H
• - Engine Power
• Flap Settings

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

4
Presentation Outline

• Outline
• -Mooney 305
  
• Crash Report
  
• Timeline of the crash
• Comparison
• 305 Rocket Airplane
• What is Phugoid Mode?
• Phugoid Mode Analysis
• Future Work
• -Cessna 172H
• Cessna specifications
• Performance
• Weight and Balance
• Cessna Crash
• NTSB Investigation
• Suggested Causes

• -Cessna 172H
• Flight Testing
• Data Conversion
• Preliminary Results
• Proposed Flight Test
• Flight Simulation
• Cost Analysis
• Time Analysis
• Acknowledgements

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

5
Crash Report

• Crash Report
• 
  
• Timeline
• Comparison
• 305 Rocket Airplane
• What is Phugoid Mode?
• Phugoid Mode
• Summary

• Accident
• -In May 5, 1998 the Mooney 305 crashed near
  Bakersfield, California
• -In the accident the pilot suffer fatal injuries
• Investigation (2 Reports)
• -The (NTSB) report indicated that pilot exceeded
  the never to exceed velocity which caused
  flutter consequently the airplane suffer severe
  damage in the airframe.
• -Another (Dr. Stearman) report, indicated that
  the airplane didnt exceed the never to exceed
  velocity but that the flutter was triggered by an
  overload damage to the horizontal tail brought on
  by the aircraft maneuvering in an unstable
  phugoid mode.

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

6
Timeline for the 305 Rocket

• Crash Report
• 
  
• Timeline
• Comparison
• 305 Rocket Airplane
• What is Phugoid Mode?
• Phugoid Mode
• Summary

1
2
19000ft
3
15000ft
2300ft

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

7
Changes

• Crash Report
• 
  
• Timeline
• Comparison
• 305 Rocket Airplane
• What is Phugoid Mode?
• Phugoid Mode
• Analysis
• Summary

Specifications Mooney M20K
Mooney
305 Horsepower 210HP

305HP Propeller 2
blades
3 blades Max takeoff weight
2900lbs
3200lbs Max landing weight
2900lbs
3040lbs Empty weight
1860lbs
2068lbs Max. useful load
1040lbs
1132lbs Stall Speed
60kts
61kts Service Ceiling
24000ft
24000ft Max. Level Speed
198kts
240kts Cruise Speed (kts)
188kts
230kts Takeoff over 50ft
1500ft
1200ft obstacle

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

8
305 Rocket Airplane

• Crash Report
• 
  
• Timeline
• Comparison
• 305 Rocket Airplane
• What is Phugoid Mode?
• Phugoid Mode
• Analysis
• Summary

• Mooney 305
• -The Mooney 305 is a modification of the Mooney
  M20K. In which 45 percent more horsepower and a
  new propeller was added to the airframe of the
  Mooney M20K
• -The Federal Aviation Administration awarded the
  certificates
• Mooney 305 Autopilot
• -Insufficient testing
• -The autopilot was not modify
• -If a control system fails during a phugoid mode
  then accident like the on in Bakersfield can
  occur.

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

9
What is Phugoid Mode

• Crash Report
• 
  
• Timeline
• Comparison
• 305 Rocket Airplane
• What is Phugoid Mode?
• Phugoid Mode
• Analysis
• Summary

• Phugoid Mode
• -Is simply an oscillatory mode in the aircraft
  dynamics which last for a long time compared to
  other aircraft oscillations.
• For example

d
t

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

10
Phugoid Analysis

• Crash Report
• 
  
• Timeline
• Comparison
• 305 Rocket Airplane
• What is Phugoid Mode?
• Phugoid Analsis
• Summary

• Equation of motion
• -we are going to use the principle of
  conservation of energy
• TVK (Tkinetic energy) and (Vpotential
• State variables or inputs x(v,v)
• External Vertical Force UF
• State Matrix Equation xAxBu
• 0 1
  0
• x x
  F
• -2g2/vo2 0
  g/mvo
• 5) Output (position,kinetic/potential
  energy,) Damped
  or Undamped

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

11
Summary

• Mooney M20K
• -Model of the Mooney 305 in X-plane
• -Flight Simulator
• Matlab code
• - Matlab program to fix the autopilot of the
• modified Mooney M20k
• -Matlab programs to identify the phugoid mode
• -Matlab program provided for us.

• Crash Report
• 
  
• Timeline
• Comparison
• 305 Rocket Airplane
• What is Phugoid Mode?
• Phugoid Mode
• Summary

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

12
Summary

• Crash Report
• 
  
• Timeline
• Comparison
• 305 Rocket Airplane
• What is Phugoid Mode?
• Phugoid Mode
• Summary

• Damping Stages

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

13
Cessna 172H Specifications
Specifications  
Top Speed at Sea Level 138 mph
Rate of Climb at Sea Level 645 fpm
Service Ceiling 13,100 ft
Propeller 76 in
Landing  
Landing Roll 520 ft
Total Distance over 50-foot Obstacle 1250 ft
Take-off  
Ground Run 865 ft
Total Distance over 50-foot Obstacle 1525 ft

• Cessna specifications
• Timeline of Crash
• Weights and Balances
• Performance
• NTSB Investigation
• Further Investigation
• Probable Causes

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

14
Timeline of the Cessna 172H Crash

• Cessna specifications
• Timeline of Crash
• Weights and Balances
• Performance
• NTSB Investigation
• Further Investigation
• Probable Causes

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

15
Weights and Balances
Max Gross Weight 2300 lbs.
Empty Weight 1400 lbs.
Full Fuel Tanks 252 lbs.
Pilot 264 lbs.
Front Passenger 251 lbs.
Rear Passenger 120 lbs.
The aircraft was close to max weight. The aircraft was close to max weight.

• Cessna specifications
• Timeline of Crash
• Weights and Balances
• Performance
• NTSB Investigation
• Further Investigation
• Probable Causes

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

16
Performance

• Cessna specifications
• Timeline of Crash
• Weights and Balances
• Performance
• NTSB Investigation
• Further Investigation
• Probable Causes

(Cessna Pilot Handbook)

• Standard atmospheric conditions

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

17
Cessna NTSB Findings

• The airplane was found 300 yards southwest of the
  end of runway 31
• The engine and nose was found aft in the cabin
  area
• Chord-wise crush damage sustained aft to the wing
  forward spars
• Propeller blade bent and scratched
• Left door torn from fuselage
• Flap actuator was working properly
• No mechanical malfunction to engine assembly
• Wing flaps were set at 40 degrees (Manufacturer
  recommended 0 degree settings for take-off)

• Cessna specifications
• Timeline of Crash
• Weights and Balances
• Performance
• NTSB Investigation
• Further Investigation
• Probable Causes

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

18
Further Investigation

• Cessna specifications
• Timeline of Crash
• Weights and Balances
• Performance
• NTSB Investigation
• Further Investigation
• Probable Causes

• At impact the tachometer was stuck at 1500 RPM
• If this was the correct engine output, the
  aircraft would not be able to maintain a climb
  attitude.

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

19
Probable Causes

• Cessna specifications
• Timeline of Crash
• Weights and Balances
• Performance
• NTSB Investigation
• Further Investigation
• Probable Causes

• Pilot attempted a touch-and-go landing and left
  the flaps down at 40 degrees
• Engine malfunction during take-off that resulted
  in a partial or total power loss

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

20
Flight Testing

• Flight Testing
• Data Conversion
• Preliminary Results
• Proposed Flight Test
• Flight Simulation
• Cost Analysis
• Time Analysis
• Acknowledgements

• Test SP4-E101
• February 22, 2004
• Georgetown Municipal Airport (KGTU)
• Weather Conditions

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

21
Flight Testing

• Flight Testing
• Data Conversion
• Preliminary Results
• Proposed Flight Test
• Flight Simulation
• Cost Analysis
• Time Analysis
• Acknowledgements

• Cessna 739ZY
• 172 N model
• 160 HP (O-320 engine)
• Tests performed
• 2 weights
• 2 altitudes
• 5 flap settings

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

22
Flight Testing

• Flight Testing
• Data Conversion
• Preliminary Results
• Proposed Flight Test
• Flight Simulation
• Cost Analysis
• Time Analysis
• Acknowledgements

• Cessna 739ZY Weight 1
• A/C empty weight tested 1469.1 lbs
• Fuel Capacity (40 gal) 240.0 lbs
• Passengers/gear 400.0 lbs
• TOTAL TEST WEIGHT 2109.1 lbs

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

23
Flight Testing

• Flight Testing
• Data Conversion
• Preliminary Results
• Proposed Flight Test
• Flight Simulation
• Cost Analysis
• Time Analysis
• Acknowledgements

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

24
Flight Testing

• Flight Testing
• Data Conversion
• Preliminary Results
• Proposed Flight Test
• Flight Simulation
• Cost Analysis
• Time Analysis
• Acknowledgements

• Cessna 739ZY Weight 2
• A/C empty weight tested 1469.1 lbs
• Fuel (22 gal) 132.0 lbs
• Passengers/gear 615.0 lbs
• TOTAL TEST WEIGHT 2216.1 lbs

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

25
Flight Testing

• Flight Testing
• Data Conversion
• Preliminary Results
• Proposed Flight Test
• Flight Simulation
• Cost Analysis
• Time Analysis
• Acknowledgements

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

26
Data conversion

• Flight Testing
• Data Conversion
• Preliminary Results
• Proposed Flight Test
• Flight Simulation
• Cost Analysis
• Time Analysis
• Acknowledgements

• Provides for the analysis of the 172 H model

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

27
Preliminary Results172 H Conversion

• Flight Testing
• Data Conversion
• Preliminary Results
• Proposed Flight Test
• Flight Simulation
• Cost Analysis
• Time Analysis
• Acknowledgements

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

28
Proposed Flight Test

• Flight Testing
• Data Conversion
• Preliminary Results
• Proposed Flight Test
• Flight Simulation
• Cost Analysis
• Time Analysis
• Acknowledgements

• Cessna 172 E model
• O-300 engine
• 2300 lb gross take-off weight
• 42 gal max fuel capacity
• 40 degree flap settings
• Cruise prop installed on the A/C

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

29
Flight Simulation

• Flight Testing
• Data Conversion
• Preliminary Results
• Proposed Flight Test
• Flight Simulation
• Cost Analysis
• Time Analysis
• Acknowledgements

• Mooney Simulations
• Performed at WRW Laboratories
• X-Plane software
• Easy to use
• Allows for proper data output
• Autopilot will be engaged
• Monitor output to determine if phugoid mode is
  present

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

30
Aircraft Modifications

• Flight Testing
• Data Conversion
• Preliminary Results
• Proposed Flight Test
• Flight Simulation
• Cost Analysis
• Time Analysis
• Acknowledgements

Modification Bravo Rocket 305
Horsepower 210 HP 305 HP
Propeller 2 blade 3 blade
Max Weight 2900 lbs 3200 lbs
Empty Weight 1860 lbs 2068 lbs
Stall Speed 60 kts 61 kts

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

31
Flight Simulation

• Presently have 5 test aircraft
• 172 SP
• 172 SP modified for 40 degrees of flaps
• 172 H A/C in accident
• 172 N A/C in actual flight test
• 172 E Proposed test A/C

• Flight Testing
• Data Conversion
• Preliminary Results
• Proposed Flight Test
• Flight Simulation
• Cost Analysis
• Time Analysis
• Acknowledgements

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

32
Aircraft Modifications

• Flight Testing
• Data Conversion
• Preliminary Results
• Proposed Flight Test
• Flight Simulation
• Cost Analysis
• Time Analysis
• Acknowledgements

PART 172 SP (N463QB) 172 SP (N463QC) 172 H (N463QD) 172 N (N463QE)
Flaps 30 deg 40 deg 40 deg 40 deg
Horsepower 180 hp 180 hp 145 hp 160 hp
Fuel System Fuel Injected Fuel Injected Carburetor Carburetor
Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
Nguyen Douglas
Wilson
33
Flight Simulation

• Flight Testing
• Data Conversion
• Preliminary Results
• Proposed Flight Test
• Flight Simulation
• Cost Analysis
• Time Analysis
• Acknowledgements

• Cessna Testing Stage 1
• Verification flights
• Repeat previous flight tests
• Performance tests to compare to manufacturer and
  actual flight data
• MOST IMPORTANT PHASE OF TESTING!

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

34
Flight Simulation

• Flight Testing
• Data Conversion
• Preliminary Results
• Proposed Flight Test
• Flight Simulation
• Cost Analysis
• Time Analysis
• Acknowledgements

• Cessna Testing Stage 2
• Attempt to recreate the accident
• Take-offs with 40 degrees of flaps at desired
  weight
• Takeoff with engine failure at 300 feet AGL

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

35
Cost Analysis

• Flight Testing
• Data Conversion
• Preliminary Results
• Proposed Flight Test
• Flight Simulation
• Cost Analysis
• Time Analysis
• Acknowledgements

• Currently 4.2 hours of real flight testing
• Aircraft rental 79/hr - 331.80
• Instructor fee 35/hr - 147.00
• Total current cost 478.80
• Projected 5 hours of additional real flight
  testing
• Total expenses 1000

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

36
Time Analysis

• Flight Testing
• Data Conversion
• Preliminary Results
• Proposed Flight Test
• Flight Simulation
• Cost Analysis
• Time Analysis
• Acknowledgements

• Phase 1 Completed
• Background investigations into both accidents
• Phugoid mode analysis
• A/C modifications made in flight simulators
• Phase 2A Completion projected March 5
• Actual flight testing of Cessna A/C
• Added to validate flight simulator data

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

37
Time Analysis

• Flight Testing
• Data Conversion
• Preliminary Results
• Proposed Flight Test
• Flight Simulation
• Cost Analysis
• Time Analysis
• Acknowledgements

• Phase 2B Completion projected April 10
• Flight Simulator Testing
• Validation phase completion projected March 20
• Accident Recreation
• Cessna 172 H
• Mooney Rocket
• Phase 3 Completion projected May 5
• Analysis of flight data
• Final reports and recommendations

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

38
Acknowledgments

• Flight Testing
• Data Conversion
• Preliminary Results
• Proposed Flight Test
• Flight Simulation
• Cost Analysis
• Time Analysis
• Acknowledgements

• Wright Aviation in Georgetown, TX
• Bill Eldredge and staff
• Alan Weaver Flight Instructor
• Dr. Ron O. Stearman
• Basil Philip
• Marcus Kruger
• Joshua Foxworth

• Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
  Nguyen Douglas
  Wilson
• 
  

39
Summary

• Mooney 305
• Bakersfield, CA accident
• Phugoid Mode
• Cessna 172H
• Falcon Field Accident
• Flap settings and Engine Concerns
• Flight Testing
• Real Flight tests
• X-Plane Simulator testing

Abraham Gutierrez Anh Huy
Nguyen Douglas
Wilson