Flight tests on the short SB5 with 60 degrees sweepback and low tailplane Part 1 - forces and moments

Abstract

The Short SB 5 is a low-speed research aircraft capable of operation with wing sweepback angles of 50°, 60°, or 69°, various wing leading-edge configurations, and a high or low tailplane. Extensive flight measurements have been made in the 60° sweepback, low-tail configuration and these included tests with inboard nose flaps undeflected, with nose flaps deflected 4° and 20.2°, and with full-span leading-edge droop. Other variations included the incorporation of a small leading-edge notch at 70 per cent semispan, and 20° deflection of the trailing-edge flaps. This Report is restricted to consideration of the forces and moments acting on the aircraft and those produced by the control surfaces; fluid motion investigations are to be reported separately. Comparisons are made of the flight results with three different series of wind-tunnel tests, and with estimates and theory. Pilots' opinions of the general handling characteristics of the aircraft are also reported.