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Virginia Tech

Conceptual Assessment of an Oblique Flying Wing Aircraft Including Control and Trim Characteristics

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

A method was developed to assist with the understanding of a unique configuration and investigate some of its stability and control attributes. Oblique wing aircraft concepts are a design option that is well understood, but has yet to be used in a production aircraft. Risk involved in choosing such a design can be averted through additional knowledge early in the concept evaluation phase. Analysis tools commonly used in early conceptual level analysis were evaluated for applicability to a non-standard aircraft design such as an oblique flying wing. Many tools used in early analyses make assumptions that are incompatible with the slewed wing configuration of the vehicle. Using a simplified set of tools, an investigation of a unique configuration was done as well as showing that the aircraft could be trimmed at given conditions. Wave drag was investigated to determine benefits for an oblique flying wing. This form of drag was reduced by the distribution of volume afforded by the slewing of the aircraft's wing. Once a reasonable concept was developed, aerodynamic conditions were investigated for static stability of the aircraft. Longitudinal and lateral trim were established simultaneously due to its asymmetric nature.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Aerospace and Ocean Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Aerospace and Ocean Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2008

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Plumley, Ryan W.
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Mason, William H.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Woolsey, Craig A.
  • Patil, Mayuresh J.

Subjects

dc:subject × 5

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-03052008-083551
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/31417

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Plumley, Ryan W.. Conceptual Assessment of an Oblique Flying Wing Aircraft Including Control and Trim Characteristics. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/31417