Tuto 3B: F16 Performance of Flight Control Surfaces

The Aviation Aerodynamics; Aerodynamics & Performance of Flight

Everything moving through the air (including airplanes, rockets, and birds) is affected by aerodynamics

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Click here for the previous lessons, to learn about: Principle of Airframe; Principles of Aerodynamics; Airfoil Characteristics; Primary Flight Control Surfaces; Description and Operation of Helicopter; Miscellaneous Components of an Aircraft…

F16 Flight Control Surfaces

The F16 is a single-engine, multirole fighter jet that can perform various missions such as air-to-air combat, air-to-ground attack, and reconnaissance. One of the key features that make the F16 agile and maneuverable is its flight control system, which consists of several movable surfaces on the wings and tail of the aircraft. These surfaces are called flight control surfaces, and they allow the pilot to control the pitch, roll, and yaw of the F16.

The main flight control surfaces on the F16 are:

- The elevators:

 These are two horizontal surfaces on the tail that move up and down together to change the pitch angle of the nose. The elevators are used to climb, descend, or maintain level flight.

- The ailerons:

 These are two small surfaces on the outer edges of the wings that move up and down in opposite directions to change the roll angle of the wings. The ailerons are used to turn left or right, or to correct for crosswinds.

- The rudder: 

This is a vertical surface on the tail that moves left and right to change the yaw angle of the nose. The rudder is used to coordinate turns, or to counteract adverse yaw caused by the ailerons.

- The flaps: 

These are large surfaces on the trailing edges of the wings that extend downward to increase the lift and drag of the wings. The flaps are used to reduce the speed and increase the angle of descent during landing or takeoff.

- The leading-edge flaps: 

These are small surfaces on the leading edges of the wings that extend downward to increase the lift and camber of the wings. The leading-edge flaps are used to improve the high-angle-of-attack performance and stall characteristics of the F16.

- The stabilator:

 This is a single-piece horizontal surface on the tail that acts as both an elevator and a stabilizer. The stabilator can move up and down as well as pivot around its center to change both the pitch and roll angles of the F16. The stabilator is used to enhance the maneuverability and stability of the F16 at high speeds and low altitudes.

The F16 flight control system is a fly-by-wire system,

 which means that there is no direct mechanical connection between the pilot's controls and the flight control surfaces. Instead, the pilot's inputs are sent to a computer, which then sends electrical signals to hydraulic actuators that move the flight control surfaces. This allows for faster and more precise control, as well as automatic compensation for aerodynamic forces and faults.

The F16 flight control system is also a relaxed static stability system, which means that the F16 is intentionally designed to be slightly unstable in pitch. This gives the F16 a higher lift-to-drag ratio and a lower drag coefficient, which result in better acceleration, climb rate, and turn rate. However, this also makes the F16 more difficult to fly, especially at high angles of attack. To overcome this challenge, the F16 flight control system uses a quadruplex digital flight control computer (FLCC), which constantly monitors and adjusts the flight control surfaces to maintain stability and prevent departure from controlled flight.

The F16 flight control system is one of the most advanced and sophisticated systems in aviation history.

 It enables the F16 to perform impressive maneuvers such as tight turns, high-alpha flight, and post-stall gyrations. It also provides the pilot with enhanced safety and survivability in combat situations. The F16 flight control system is a testament to the engineering excellence and innovation of Lockheed Martin and its partners.

Aircraft Flight Control Systems (FCS) - 

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Aircraft Flight Control Systems (FCS) Market is accounted for $12.31 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $18.93 billion by 2028 growing at a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period. Increasing demand of aircraft due to consistent growth of air travel is driving the market growth. However, limited lifespan and high manufacturing costs of components is hampering the growth of the market.

Aircraft flight control systems (FCS) are aerodynamic devices

 that combine automation and electromechanical skills. These control systems adjust the orientation of a vehicle about its center of gravity. These aircraft control systems enhance the performance of aircraft and are used to provide safety to the aircraft during pitching, banking and rolling.

Based on the technology, the fly-by-wire segment is going to have lucrative growth during the forecast period as fly-by-wire (FBW) is a technology system which is substituted as an electronically connector for the standard manual aircraft checks. Flight power motions are transformed by cables to digital transmissions and aircraft command machines determine how the actuators can be moved at each controlled area in order to deliver the requested answer, due to these features this segment’s demand is expected to increase in the aircraft flight control systems (FCS) market. By geography, Asia Pacific is going to have high growth during the forecast period to growth in the aircraft industry and airline travel, which in turn is resulting in an increase in the demand for aircraft flight control systems in many of the Asia Pacific countries.

Some of the key players profiled in the Aircraft Flight Control Systems (FCS) Market

 include Honeywell International, Inc., BAE Systems, Inc, Rockwell Collins, Inc., Safran Electronics & Defense, Parker Hannifin India Pvt. Ltd., Weststar Aviation Services, Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH, Woodward Inc., UTC Aerospace Systems, Nabtesco Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Liebherr Group, MOOG Inc, Saab AB, and Raytheon Technologies Corp.

Products Covered:
• Deicing Truck
• Deicing Fluid

Types Covered:
• Rotary Wing Flight Control System
• Military Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Flight Control System
• Commercial Fixed Wing Flight Control System
• Military Fixed Flight Control System

In order to understand the operation of the components and subcomponents of an aircraft, it is important to understand basic aerodynamic concepts Aerodynamics is the branch of dynamics dealing with the motion of air and other gases which give us the performance we need to fly It can be associated with the forces acting on an object in motion through the air or with an object that is stationary in a current of air Several factors affect aircraft performance including the atmosphere, aerodynamics, and aircraft icing Pilots need an understanding of these factors for a sound basis for prediction of aircraft response to control inputs

There are four forces that act upon an aircraft, making up what we call, the Principles of Flight

Understanding how these forces are created, and more importantly impact each other, allow pilots to understand how they are manipulated to control an aircraft in flight These principle forces are thrust, drag, weight, and lift: [Figure 1] Thrust: Thrust is the forward force produced by the powerplant/propeller It opposes or overcomes the force of drag Drag: Drag is a rearward, retarding force and is caused by disruption of airflow by the wing, fuselage, and other protruding objects Drag opposes thrust and acts rearward parallel to the relative wind Weight: Weight is the combined load of the aircraft itself, the crew, the fuel, and the cargo or baggage Weight pulls the aircraft downward because of the force of gravity Lift: Lift opposes the downward force of weight, is produced by the dynamic effect of the air acting on the wing, and acts perpendicular to the flight path through the wing's center of lift (CL) All aircraft are designed with different handling characteristics in mind which determine aircraft stability An aircraft moves in three dimensions and is controlled by moving it about one or more of its axes: The longitudinal, or roll, axis extends through the aircraft from nose to tail, with the line passing through the CG The lateral or pitch axis extends across the aircraft on a line through the wing tips, again passing through the CG The vertical, or yaw, axis passes through the aircraft vertically, intersecting the CG All control movements cause the aircraft to move around one or more of these axes and allows for the control of the aircraft in flight How Does Weight Affect Aerodynamics in Airplanes? Weight wasn’t only a gravitational force to be overcome when human beings first took to the sky. It has a specific relationship to airplanes and management of them while in flight. Aircraft designers usually look to save as much weight as possible; a lower weight means less fuel to remain airborne, and more passengers and cargo can be brought on board. Seeking a balance of using safe and durable materials while reducing the forces of gravity is critical. While the force of weight presses down on the entire airplane, it pivots through the aircraft’s center of gravity. The center of gravity is always focused towards the earth, but the precise location of it continually shifts as an airplane burns fuel. Weight and balance calculations are vital in-flight planning and aircraft operation. Maintaining a safe ratio of weight and balance are why, even though passengers on a small aircraft might not feel a difference in the handling of an aircraft, they are sometimes asked to re-distribute themselves more evenly across the cabin of a half-empty flight. So what combats the weight of the aircraft pushing down towards Earth? You’re not going anywhere without lift. In aerodynamics, lift is produced by the difference in speed between an object and the air molecules around it. Lift does not exist without air, which is why the wings of the space shuttle orbiter were useless in the vacuum of space but essential during its unpowered descent to Earth. Differences in air pressure are crucial in producing lift. Since fast-moving air creates less pressure, the slower air below the wing helps to push the wing skyward. Aircraft wings, with their slightly rounded shape, are designed to harness this dynamic. The motion of the air molecules above and below the surface of the wing creates the upward push of lift; this flow, in turn, helps keep the airplane aloft.

The Importance of Thrust in Aerodynamics

The most spectacular illustration of thrust is a rocket launch. Thrust is what enables us non-birds to get off the ground. When thrust of an engine pushes, the vehicle it’s attached to shoots in the opposite direction. #aviation_jobs #aviation_courses #aviation_topic #aviation_study #aviation_basic #aerospace_engineering #avionic_systems #aerospace_navigation #aircraft_mishap #aviation_accident #aviation_invetigation