An aircraft is initially flying in steady level flight. Assume the aircraft is stable and assume the drag versus airspeed curve for steady level flight of the aircraft is given in figure 12.1. Flight conditions A and B are indicated on this curve. Assume the pilot makes a constant change in the elevator that causes the nose of the aircraft to pitch up; no change is made to the throttle, rudder, or ailerons.
(a) If the aircraft is initially in steady level flight at point A, describe the resulting change in the steady flight conditions. How do the angle of attack and the airspeed change? Does the aircraft return to a steady level flight condition? Does it climb at a constant rate? Does it descend at a constant rate? Describe your reasoning.
(b) If the aircraft is initially in steady level flight at point B, describe the resulting changes in the steady flight conditions. How do the angle of attack and the airspeed change? Does the aircraft return to a steady level flight condition? Does it climb at a constant rate? Does it descend at a constant rate? Describe your reasoning. Assume the pilot makes a constant increase in the throttle setting; no change is made to, the elevator, rudder, or ailerons.
(c) If the aircraft is initially in steady level flight at point A, describe the resulting change in the steady flight conditions. How do the angle of attack and the airspeed change? Does the aircraft return to a steady level flight condition? Does it climb at a constant rate? Does it descend at a constant rate? Describe your reasoning.
(d) If the aircraft is initially in steady level flight at point B, describe the resulting change in the steady flight conditions. How do the angle of attack and the airspeed change? Does the aircraft return to a steady level flight condition? Does it climb at a constant rate? Does it descend at a constant rate? Describe your reasoning
All subsequent problems in this section are based on the aircraft data provided in appendix B.