In November 1991 after about one year of successful conventional flight testing, the X-31A research aircraft no. 2 was taken to more than 30 degrees angle of attack for the first time. Since then a maximum angle of attack of about 53 degrees in 1-g flight has been achieved. This is the first time a dedicated post stall aircraft design has entered flight test beyond stall angles of attack. This paper summarizes descriptions of the control law characteristics of the X-31A and describes the flight test approach followed to safely expand and explore the high angle of attack and post stall flight regime. Furthermore, preliminary handling qualities test results obtained from the initial post stall envelope expansion are presented.
X-31A High Angle of Attack and Initial Post Stall Flight Testing
1992
11 pages
Report
No indication
English
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