A Generic T-tail Transport Airplane Simulation for High-Angle-of-Attack Dynamics Modeling Investigations

A preliminary simulation of a generic T-tail transport airplane configuration has been developed at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Langley Research Center. The primary purpose of this piloted simulation is to assess aerodynamic model fidelity requirements for training airline pilots to recognize and recover from full-stall flight conditions in a T-tail airplane. As a result, significant flexibility has been designed into the flight dynamics model. The flight dynamics model is based on newly acquired static and dynamic stability and control data from sources that include: wind tunnel, water tunnel, and computational fluid dynamics. Preliminary results for initial stall show an unstable stall pitch break (if the stick pusher is inhibited), un-commanded motions due to stall asymmetries, significantly reduced dynamic roll stability, and decreased control effectiveness. Preliminary studies indicated an insensitivity to the fidelity of the pitch damping model.