Flight tests of a P-51H airplane with two different vertical-tail assemblies were made to determine lateral and directional stability and control characteristics. The airplane had satisfactory directional stability in the landing, approach, and wave-off conditions with either tail. In the power-on clean and glide conditions, however, the airplane had weak directional stability with the original tail. The production tail, which had a 7-inch fin extension and a shorter span rudder, improved the directional stability in the power-on clean and glide conditions, but the stability was still weak in the power-on clean condition. Increased altitude in either case caused a slight decrease in the stability. The rudder-trim-force change with speed with either vertical-tail assembly was high. The general aileron control characteristics were satisfactory but the aileron effectiveness failed to meet the Army handling-qualities requirements.


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    Title :

    Measurements of the Lateral and Directional Stability and Control Characteristics of a P-51H Airplane (AAF No. 44-64164)


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    1948-01-01


    Type of media :

    Miscellaneous


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English