AE 305 Flight Mechanics Assignment Problem Statements

1. Consider the aircraft, along with its geometric characteristics, allocated to you as per the aircraft data
tables. Further, aircraft is flying steady at 8 km altitude with a speed of 0.8 Mach in a straight, wings-level
configuration in x-z plane such that its x-axis is along inertial x-axis.

(a) Determine all its relevant aerodynamic and kinematic trim parameters, including the throttle setting &
control surface deflections, and stick-free neutral point. Also, determine the forward-most location of ‘cg’ at
which the aircraft can be trimmed for the given flight condition and give the corresponding lift coefficient
for the aircraft. (Note: Throttle setting can be used in the form of a % of full throttle that would correspond
to the maximum thrust value).

(b) Next, generate the linearized longitudinal dynamic model around the trim point, as specified above and
extract the short period and phugoid mode characteristics.

(c) Lastly, if the aircraft needs to fly at the same Mach number of 0.8 at 9 km altitude, determine the change
in elevator setting, along with the change in the throttle setting, which would make the flying at new trim
condition possible. Also, describe the trajectory that the aircraft would take in terms of the linearized state
variables.

(Note: Ignore the effect of fuel consumption. The engine thrust line passes through 'cg' and is along the
aircraft x-axis.)

2. Consider the aircraft, along with its geometric characteristics, allocated to you as per the aircraft data
tables. The aircraft takes off at sea level with steady climb rate of 25 m/s with a take-off speed of 0.1 Mach
along a straight line flight path.

(a) Determine all its relevant aerodynamic and kinematic trim parameters, including the throttle setting &
control surface deflections, and stick-fixed neutral point. Also, determine the forward-most location of ‘cg’
at which the aircraft can be trimmed for the given flight condition and give the corresponding lift coefficient
for the aircraft. (Note: Throttle setting can be used in the form of a % of full throttle that would correspond
to the maximum thrust value).

(b) Next, generate the linearized longitudinal dynamic model around the trim point, as specified above and
extract the short period and phugoid mode characteristics.

(c) Lastly, if the aircraft needs to take-off from a runway at 3 km altitude at the same Mach number of 0.1,
and with the same steady climb rate of 25 m/s, determine the change in elevator setting, along with the
change in the throttle setting, which would make the flying at new trim condition possible.

(Note: Ignore the effect of fuel consumption. The engine thrust line passes through 'cg' and is along the
aircraft x-axis.)
 AE 305 Flight Mechanics Assignment Problem Statements

3. Consider the aircraft, along with its geometric characteristics, allocated to you as per the aircraft data
tables. The aircraft which is flying at 10 km altitude with a steady forward speed of 0.85 Mach,
instantaneously executes a steady turn manoeuvre with a turn radius of 5 km, while continuing to move at
the same altitude and with the same forward speed. (Hint: Bank angle is constant. It is a coordinated turn.)

(a) Determine all its relevant aerodynamic and kinematic trim parameters, including the throttle setting &
control surface deflections. Also, determine the forward-most location of ‘cg’ at which the aircraft can be
trimmed for the given flight condition and give the corresponding lift coefficient for the aircraft. (Note:
Throttle setting can be used in the form of a % of full throttle that would correspond to the maximum thrust
value).

(b) Next, generate the linearized lateral dynamic model around the trim point, as specified above and extract
the roll subsidence, spiral and Dutch-roll mode characteristics.

(c) Lastly, if the aircraft, while executing the manoeuvre as in (a) above, needs to climb down to 9 km
altitude at the same forward speed of 0.85 Mach, determine the change in elevator, rudder & aileron settings,
along with the change in the throttle setting, which would make the flying at new trim condition possible.

(Note: Ignore the effect of fuel consumption. The engine thrust line passes through 'cg' and is along the
aircraft x-axis.)

4. Consider the aircraft, along with its geometric characteristics, allocated to you as per the aircraft data
tables. The aircraft, which is coming in to land, is flying at 4 km altitude with a steady forward speed of 0.3
Mach, along a circular path with a turn radius of 2 km, with zero bank angle and non-zero steady yaw rate.
(Hint: It is a pure heading change in x-y plane and is not a conventional coordinated turn.).

(a) Determine all its relevant aerodynamic and kinematic trim parameters, including the throttle setting &
control surface deflections. Also, determine the forward-most location of ‘cg’ at which the aircraft can be
trimmed for the given flight condition and give the corresponding lift coefficient for the aircraft. (Note:
Throttle setting can be used in the form of a % of full throttle that would correspond to the maximum thrust
value).

(b) Next, generate the linearized lateral dynamic model around the trim point, as specified above and extract
the roll subsidence, spiral and Dutch-roll mode characteristics.

(c) Lastly, if the aircraft, while executing the manoeuvre as in (a) above, needs to climb down to 1 km
altitude at the same forward speed of 0.85 Mach, determine the change in elevator, rudder & aileron settings,
along with the change in the throttle setting, which would make the flying at new trim condition possible.

(Note: Ignore the effect of fuel consumption. The engine thrust line passes through 'cg' and is along the
aircraft x-axis.)