Aerodynamic Center - Role of Aerodynamic Center in Aircraft Stability

Role of Aerodynamic Center in Aircraft Stability

For longitudinal static stability: and

For directional static stability: and

Where:

For A Force Acting Away at the Aerodynamic Center, which is away from the reference point:

Which for Small Angles and =, simplifies to:

General Case: From the definition of the AC it follows that

.
.

The Static Margin can then be used to quantify the AC:

where:

= yawing moment coefficient
= pitching moment coefficient
= rolling moment coefficient
= X-force ~= Drag
= Y-force ~= Side Force
= Z-force ~= Lift
ref = reference point (about which moments were taken)
c = reference length
S = reference area
q = dynamic pressure
= angle of attack
= sideslip angle

SM = Static Margin

Read more about this topic:  Aerodynamic Center

Famous quotes containing the words role of, role, center and/or stability:

    A famous theatrical actress
    Played best in the role of malefactress.
    Yet her home-life was pure
    Except, to be sure,
    A scandal or two just for practice.
    Anonymous.

    Whatever we’re doing, whoever we are, it isn’t enough. . . . Little wonder we have trouble finding role models to guide us through these shoals. No one less than God Herself could be all the things we’d like to be to all the people we’d like to feel approval from.
    Melinda M. Marshall (20th century)

    Whether talking about addiction, taxation [on cigarettes] or education [about smoking], there is always at the center of the conversation an essential conundrum: How come we’re selling this deadly stuff anyway?
    Anna Quindlen (b. 1952)

    Traditions are the “always” in life—the rituals and customs that build common memories for children, offer comfort and stability in good times and bad, and create a sense of family identity.
    Marian Edelman Borden (20th century)