What can be learned from the lateral-directional stability characteristics of birds for mini-aircraft without a vertical tail

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Abstract

Birds show unique lateral-directional stability characteristics which are due to the lack of a vertical tail and a result of their size. The fact that birds have no vertical tail has an impact on yaw stability and damping, influencing the Dutch roll mode of motion. It is shown that adequate levels in frequency and damping of the Dutch roll can be achieved by appropriate features of the wing. Further to the lateral-directional stability characteristics, birds show a fast rotational behaviour with respect to the roll axis. This holds for the time constant of the roll mode of motion as well as for the roll performance in terms of the achievable rotational rate in a stationary roll.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 11th Mini Conference on Vehicle System Dynamics Identification and Anomalies, VSDIA 2008
Pages15-26
Number of pages12
StatePublished - 2008
Event11th Mini Conference on Vehicle System Dynamics Identification and Anomalies, VSDIA 2008 - Budapest, Hungary
Duration: 10 Nov 200812 Nov 2008

Publication series

NameProceedings of the Mini Conference on Vehicle System Dynamics, Identification and Anomalies

Conference

Conference11th Mini Conference on Vehicle System Dynamics Identification and Anomalies, VSDIA 2008
Country/TerritoryHungary
CityBudapest
Period10/11/0812/11/08

Keywords

  • Bird
  • Lateral-directional stability
  • Mini-aircraft
  • Vertical tail

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