Chapter 7: Principles of Stability and Control

Aryan Pandey
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 Body oscillates back and forth but never reaches original position – dynamically unstable –
statistically stable
 Dynamically stable is always statistically stable but not vice versa

Control Surfaces (Elevators, Ailerons, Rudders)

 Change from one equilibrium position to another

 Produce non-equilibrium accelerated motions – manoeuvres

Moments on the Airplane

 Aerodynamic Centre is the point about which moments (Mac and Cac) are independent of the
angle of attack
 Value of Mac and Cac from the value of the moment coefficient about any point when the
wing is at the zero-lift angle of attack. – zero-lift-moment
 An airplane is in equilibrium when the moment about the center of gravity is 0. The
airplane is said to be trimmed. (Mcg=0=Ccg)
 Angle of attack is the angle between Free stream Relative wind (Velocity Vector) and
the Chord line
 For statically Stable Aircraft
1. CM,0 is Positive
2. δCM,cg/δαa is negative

 For statically Unstable Aircraft

1. CM,0 (Value of CM,cg at 0 angle of attack) is Negative
2. δCM,cg/δαa is positive