Now this is a radio controlled airplane...
NASA Langley appears ready to begin offering its 5.5% scale jet-powered models as research tools to the aviation safety community.
In a request for information (RFI) released last week, the agency included its AirSTAR (Airborne sub-scale transport aircraft research) testbed, which includes the subscale aircraft, control stations and communications devices, as being a research tool the community can take access to further the state of the art in loss-of-control preventatives.
Basic facts and figures provided in the RFI are here:
| Capabilities | AirSTAR sub-scale testbed |
| Altitude | 600-2,000ft |
| Speed | 60-120kt |
| Scale | 5.50%; 50lb; 96in length; 82in wingspan |
| Typical flight test time | 20 min |
| Test location | NASA Wallops Flight Facility - Virginia |
| Control effectors | Ailerons, flaps, split-spoilers (4), split rudders (2), split elevators (4), dual engines |
| Research computing | |
| Flight control computer | Ground-based flight control via dual-processor dSpace real-time computer. Allows piloted simulation |
| Experimental | |
| Surface failures | Can fail single and multiple surfaces, fully programmable |
| Scenarios | Full and partial hydraulic failures. Impaired and inoperative engine(s). Reduced static and dynamic stability |
| Pilot-in-loop maneuvers | Includes windup turns, upset recoveries, approach to stall, stall and departure, post-stall gyration/spins |
| On-board sensors | Includes AOA and side-slip measurements, angular rates, control surface positions, engine RPM |
That's the boring part.
Here's what the aircraft looks like in flight. I found this video, obviously made by NASA, at www.RCGroups.com. It shows the first flight of the 50lb twin-jet in 2005.
Enjoy!
Leave a comment
Want a user picture? Get a Gravatar!