Analyses and design studies have been conducted to determine the characteristics of an Air Cushion Landing System (ACLS) as it would be applied to an Advanced Medium STOL Transport (AMST) equipped with mechanical flaps and a vectored thrust powered lift system. It was determined that an ACLS would be feasible on an AMST type airplane, but requires a special housing arrangement which broadens the ACLS footprint area when it is deployed. Furthermore, special provisions are needed for ground handling and parking. Because it eliminates some of the concentrated loads associated with conventional landing gear, and is easily faired for low drag when retracted, the ACLS would permit a noticeable reduction in aircraft empty weight for a given mission requirement, if structural provisions for conventional landing gear are not included in the airframe. Substantial uncertainties remain unresolved especially with respect to aircraft/air cushion landing dynamics and spray/debris effects. (Author)
STOL Tactical Aircraft Investigation. Volume VI. Air Cushion Landing System Study
1973
100 pages
Report
No indication
English
Aircraft , Aerodynamics , Ground effect machines , Short take-off planes , Landing gear , Performance(Engineering) , Ground effect , Take-off , Aircraft landings , Boundary layer control systems , Structural properties , Aerodynamic characteristics , Design , AMST(Advanced Medium STOL Transports) , Advanced medium STOL transports , ACLS(Air Cushion Landing Systems) , Air cushion landing systems , Aircraft modifications , Evaluation