Quest for Performance: The Evolution of Modern Aircraft

 

Appendix B

Symbols and Abbreviations

 

[505] Symbols

 

A

wing aspect ratio, b2/S for monoplanes and (Kb)2/S for multiplanes (see app. C for values of K, Munk's span factor)

b

wing span (span of upper wing is given for biplane configurations), feet

c

wing chord, feet

Cd

section drag coefficient

CP

specific fuel consumption, pounds of fuel per brake horsepower per hour

Cr

wing root chord, feet

Ct

wing tip chord, feet

Cl

section lift coefficient

Cl ,Max

section maximum lift coefficient

span-loading parameter(clc/CLc)

span-loading parameter

mean aerodynamic chord, feet

mean aerodynamic chord, feet

CD

drag coefficient

CD,o

zero-lift drag coefficient

CD,min

minimum drag coefficient

CL

lift coefficient

CL,max

maximum lift coefficient

Cm

pitching-moment coefficient

skin friction parameter

skin friction parameter (drag coefficient based on total wetted area)

D

drag, pounds

[506] f

drag area, CD,oS

g

acceleration due to gravity

h

altitude, feet

hce

service ceiling, feet

hSL

sea-level rate of climb, feet per minute

power parameter

power parameter,

 

formula

aircraft length, feet

aircraft length, feet

lL

landing field length, feet

lT

takeoff field length, feet

(L/D)max

maximum lift-drag ratio

M

Mach number

P

engine power, horsepower

Po

maximum power available at sea level, horsepower

R

aircraft range, statute miles

RD

mission radius, statute miles

RF

ferry range, statute miles

Rh

hypothetical range, statute miles

S

wing area (includes both wings for biplanes), square feet

T

time required to climb to specified altitude, minutes; or thrust, pounds

T/W

thrust-to-weight ratio or thrust loading

t/c

airfoil-section thickness ratio, percent

useful load fraction, 1 -(We/Wg)

useful load fraction, 1-(We/Wg)

V

speed, miles per hour (statute miles)

Vc

cruising speed, miles per hour (statute miles)

Vce

cost-economical cruising speed, miles per hour (statute miles)

Vmax

maximum speed, miles per hour (statute miles)

Vs

stalling speed, miles per hour (statute miles)

W

aircraft weight, pounds

[507] We

aircraft empty weight, pounds

Wg

aircraft design gross weight, pounds

Wg/S

wing loading for design gross weight, pounds per square foot

Wg/Po

power loading for design gross weight, pounds per horsepower

WL

maximum aircraft landing weight, pounds

Wmax

aircraft maximum gross weight, pounds

WP

payload weight, pounds

Wt

propulsion-system weight, pounds

Wt/Wg

engine weight fraction

W/P

power loading, pounds per horsepower

W/S

wing loading, pounds per square foot

y

distance along wing span measured from wing centerline, feet

angle of attack, degrees

angle of attack, degrees

section angle of attack

section angle of attack (fig. 5.6), degrees

percentage of maximum sea-level

percentage of maximum sea-level power

semispan wing position

semispan wing position, 2y/b; or overall propulsion-system efficiency, percent

engine cycle efficiency,

engine cycle efficiency, percent

propulsive efficiency, percent

propulsive efficiency, percent

wing sweepback angle

wing sweepback angle, measured at wing quarter-chord line unless otherwise noted, degrees

wing taper ratio, Tip chord/Root

wing taper ratio, Tip chord/Root chord

atmospheric density

atmospheric density

 

atmospheric density at sea

atmospheric density at sea level

 

atmospheric density ratio

atmospheric density ratio atmospheric density/atmospheric density at sea

 

 

Abbreviations

 

AAHS

American Aviation Historical Society

AIAA

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

AIRCO

Aircraft Manufacturing Company

ALCM

air-launched cruise missile

ALDCS

active load distribution control system

ATA

Air Transport Association

[508] AWACS

airborne warning and control system

BOAC

British Overseas Airways Corporation

CAP

combat air patrol

FAA

Federal Aviation Administration

FAR

Federal Air Regulations

Flt. Intl.

Flight International Magazine

FOD

foreign object damage

JATO

jet-assisted takeoff

LABS

low-altitude bombing system

LaRC

Langley Research Center

LMAL

Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory

MAP

Military Assistance Program

mfr

manufacturer

NACA

National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics

NASA

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NASM

National Air and Space Museum

NBAA

National Business Aircraft Association

RAF

Royal Air Force

RPM

revenue passenger mile

SAC

Strategic Air Command

SCRAM

short-range attack missile

STOL

short takeoff and landing

STOVL

short takeoff and vertical landing

ukn

unknown

USAF

United States Air Force

USAAF

United States Army Air Force

USN

United States Navy

VIFF

vectoring in forward flight

VSTOL

vertical/short takeoff and landing

VTOL

vertical takeoff and landing

WW

World War

 


 

 

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