Haithem E Taha hetaha@uci.

edu

Summary of Lecture 5

CG Limits and Trim

1. CG Limits: NP and most forward CG location, which is given by

xN P xCG CM0L |Landing + CMδe δemax − ve

− |mostforward =
c c CLmax
Also,

xN P xCG CM0 |Landing + CMδe δemax − ve CM0 |Landing + CMδe δemax − ve

− |mostforward = =
c c CLα αmax CLmax − CL0 − CLδe δemax − ve

2. Problem 2.4 in Nelson [1], pp. 86: The CM versus α curve for a large jet transport can be
seen in Fig. 1. Use the figure and the following information to answer the following questions:

m
er as
CL = 0.03 + 0.08α(deg), and − 15◦ ≤ δe ≤ 20◦

co
- Estimate the stick fixed neutral point.

eH w
- Estimate the elevator control power.

o.
- Find the forward center of gravity limit.
rs e
−0.3−(−0.12) xN P
Answer: CMα = = −0.012/deg → dCM
= −0.15 →
= 0.4 . CMδe =
ou urc
15−0 dCL c
−0.12−0.025
5−0 = −0.03/deg . Forward cg limit: trimming at the maximum CL or α with the
maximum elevator deflection (in negative)
o

0 = 0.17 + CMα |mostforward (10◦ ) − 0.03(−15) → CMα |mostforward = −0.062/deg

aC s
vi y re

dCM xCG
∴ |mostforward = −0.775 → |mostforward = −0.375
dCL c
ed d

3. Problem 2.6 in Nelson [1], pp. 87: An airplane has the following pitching moment character-
istics at the center of gravity position:
ar stu

xCG dCM
= 0.3, CM0L = 0.05, = −0.1, and CMδe = −0.01/deg
c dCL
is

If the airplane is loaded so that the center of gravity position moves to xCG
c = 0.1, can the
airplane be trimmed during landing where CL = 1.0? Assuming that CM0L and CMδe are
Th

unaffected by the center of gravity travel and that δemax = ±20◦ .

xN P
Answer: = 0.4 . Most forward cg location: trimming at the maximum CL with the
c
sh

maximum elevator deflection (in negative)

dCM dCM
0 = 0.05 + |mostforward (1.0) − 0.01(−20) → |mostforward = −0.25
dCL dCL
xCG
∴ |mostforward = 0.15 > 0.1 → No.
c

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Stall

m
er as
co
eH w
a (deg)

o.
rs e
ou urc
Figure 1:
o

4. Problem 2.7 in Nelson [1], pp. 87: The pitching moment characteristics of a general aviation
aC s

airplane with the landing gear and flaps in their retracted position are given in Fig. 2.
vi y re

(a) Where is the stick fixed neutral point located?

(b) If the airplane weighs 2500 lbs and is flying at 150 ft/s at sea level, ρ = 0.002378 slug/f t3 ,
what is the elevator angle required for trim?
ed d

xN P
dCM 0−0.4
= −0.25 →
ar stu

Answer: dCL = 1.6−0 = 0.5 . Then, trim implies

c
1
L = ρV 2 SCL = W → CL = 0.62
2
is

−0.3−0
Getting CM0 L = 0.1 and CMδe = 0−(−8) = −0.0375/deg, we write
Th

0 = 0.1 − 0.25(0.62) − 0.0375δetrim → δetrim = 1.5◦

5. Problem 2.12 in Nelson [1], pp. 90: If the control characteristics of the elevator used in
sh

Example Problem 2.2 are as follows

{
+10◦
CMδe = −1.03/rad, δemax = , and CLmax = 1.4
−20◦
determine the forwardmost limit on the center of gravity travel so that the airplane can
be controlled during landing; that is, at CLmax . Neglect ground effects on the airplane’s

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 Haithem E Taha hetaha@uci.edu

Figure 2:

m
er as
co
eH w
aerodynamic characteristics. You may also neglect the elevator effect on the airplane’s lift

o.
characteristics (CLδe = 0).
rs e
Answer: Recall from Example Problem 2.2 (in lecture 3) that xCG c = 0.295, CM0 = 0.061,
ou urc
CMα = −1.02/rad and that the lift characteristics can be calculated as

CL0 = ∆w CL0 + ∆t CL0 = CL0 w + ηt SSt [CL0 t − CLαt (ϵ0 + iw − it )]

= 0.37 − (0.9) 184
43 π
(2.2 + 1 − (−1)) = 4.63/rad = 0.314
o

(3.65) 180
( )
aC s

St dϵ 43
vi y re

CLα = ∆w CLα +∆t CLα = CLα w +ηt CLα t 1 − = 4.2+(0.9) (3.65)(1−0.44) = 4.63/rad
S dα 184
As such,
dCM xN P
= −0.22 → = 0.515
ed d

dCL c
Then, the maximum CL = 1.4 is attained at αmax = 0.235rad = 13.4◦ . Hence,
ar stu

π
0 = 0.061 + CMα |mostforward (0.235) − 1.03 (−20◦ ) → CMα |mostforward = −1.79/rad
180
is

Thus,
dCM xCG
Th

|mostforward = −0.387 → |mostforward = 0.128

dCL c

6. Reading for next lecture: Sec. 2.6, Sec. 2.7, and Sec 2.8 in Nelson [1].
sh

References

[1] R. C. Nelson. Flight Stability and Automatic Control. McGraw-Hill, 1989.

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