Links

The following links are provided solely because they may feature information useful to aircraft flight simulation modelers.

Table of Contents

• General Links
• Open Source Software Tools
• Online Books, References, and Tutorials
• Important NASA & AIAA Reports
  - Simulation
  - Aircraft Modeling Data
• Important Historical NACA Reports
  - Propellers
  - Helicopters
  - Aircraft Performance
  - Mass Properties
  - Aerodynamics
• Aerospace Periodicals

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General

• FlightGear Home Page
• NASA Langley Technical Report Server
• NASA General Aviation Propulsion Program
• Dryden Technical Report Server
• Public Domain Aeronautical Software*
• GamaSutra Game Developer's Site
• OpenGL
• MicroWings
• Air Force Technology
• Aviation Safety: Sorted by Aircraft Type
• UIUC Applied Aerodynamics Group 

Open Source Software Tools We Use

• Doxygen - Automatic generation of API documentation
• Cygwin - A Unix-like environment under MS Windows
• Source Navigator - A programming IDE under MS Windows
• KDevelop - A programming IDE under Linux
• CVS - "Concurrent Versions System", code management software

Online Books, References, and Tutorials

• Aerodynamic Modeling for Simulation and Control
• FAA: Type Certificate Data Sheets
• NASA: "Real-Time Simulation Documents"
• NASA SP-367: "Introduction to the Aerodynamics of Flight"  
• NASA SP-09-511: "Celebrating a Century of Flight"
• NASA: "The First Century of Flight: NACA/NASA Contribution to Aeronautics"
• NASA SP-60: "X-15 Research Results"
• NPSNET: Flight Simulation Dynamic Modeling Using Quaternions
• Virginia Tech, Dr. William Mason: Software for Aerodynamics and Aircraft Design
• Virginia Tech, Dr. William Mason: Electronic Course Materials

Important & Relevant NASA & AIAA Reports

Simulation

• The Langley Standard Realtime Simulation in C++ (LaSRS++) (PowerPoint)
• Flight Dynamic Model Exchange using XML  (Adobe PDF)
• Constructing a Multiple-Vehicle, Multiple-CPU Simulation Using Object-Oriented, AIAA-98-4530 (Adobe PDF)
• LaSRS++ - An Object-Oriented Framework for Real-Time Simulation of Aircraft, AIAA-98-4529 (Adobe PDF)
• Using Abstraction to Isolate Hardware in an Object-Oriented Simulation, AIAA-98-4533 (Adobe PDF)
• A Method to Interface Auto-Generated Code into an Object-Oriented Simulation Framework, AIAA-98-4531 (Adobe PDF)
• Managing Shared Memory Spaces in An Object-Oriented Real-Time Simulation, AIAA-98-4532 (Adobe PDF)
• Simulation of a F/A-18 Drop Model Using the LaSRS++ Framework, AIAA-98-4160 (Adobe PDF)
• Modeling and Simulation – The Year In Review, Aerospace America, December 1999 (Adobe PDF)
• Developments in Human Centered Cueing Algorithms for Control of Flight Simulator Motion Systems, AIAA-99-4328 (Adobe PDF)
• An Object-Oriented Design for the Rapid Modification of Filters, AIAA-99-4342 (Adobe PDF)
• Using Abstractions to Create a Portable Object-Oriented Simulation, AIAA-99-4340 (Adobe PDF)
• Design and Development of Lateral Flight Director, NASA/TM-1999-208957 (Adobe PDF)
• Automated Concurrent Blackboard System Generation in C++, NASA TM-1999-209128 (Adobe PDF)
• A Generic Object-Oriented Implementation for Flight Control Systems, AIAA-99-4339 (Adobe PDF)
• The Use of Multiple Threads in an Object-Oriented Real-Time Simulation, AIAA-99-4338 (Adobe PDF)
• Use of the Mediator Design Pattern in the LaSRS++ Framework, AIAA-99-4336 (Adobe PDF)
• A Description of the Cockpit Motion Facility and the Research Flight Deck Simulator, AIAA-2000-4174 (Adobe PDF)
• A Generic Landing Gear Dynamics Model for LaSRS++, AIAA-2000-4303 (Adobe PDF)
• An Object-Oriented Design for Trim, AIAA-2000-4388 (Adobe PDF)
• The Langley Standard Real-Time Simulation in C++ (LaSRS++) (Adobe PDF)
• An Object-Oriented Interface for Simulink Models, AIAA-2000-4391 (Adobe PDF)
• Managing the Playback and Recording of Simulation Models in an Object-Oriented Simulation, AIAA-2000-4390 (Adobe PDF)
• Platform-Independence and Scheduling in a Multi-Threaded Real-Time Simulation, AIAA-2001-4244 (Adobe PDF)
• An Object-Oriented Sensor and Sensor System Design, AIAA-2001-4123 (Adobe PDF)
• Examining Reuse in LaSRS++-Based Projects, AIAA-2001-4119 (Adobe PDF)
• Research Flight Management System B-757 Baseline Hardware Configuration (Adobe PDF)
• A Unique Software System for Simulation-to-Flight Research, AIAA-2001-4057 (Adobe PDF)
• A Design for Composing and Extending Vehicle Models AIAA-2003-5458 (Adobe PDF)
• Simulating the ARES Aircraft in the Mars Environment AIAA-2003-6579 (Adobe PDF)
• Rapid Prototyping of an Aircraft Model in an Object-Oriented Simulation AIAA-2003-5816 (Adobe PDF)
• Simple Dynamic Engine Model for Use in a Real-Time Aircraft Simulation With Thrust Vectoring (Adobe PDF)
• MODELING, SIMULATION, AND FLIGHT CHARACTERISTICS OF AN AIRCRAFT DESIGNED TO FLY AT 100,000 FEET, NASA-TM-104236, September 1991, DFRC (Adobe PDF)
• SIMULATION STUDIES OF ALTERNATE LONGITUDINAL CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR THE SPACE SHUTTLE ORBITER IN THE LANDING REGIME, NASA-TM-86815, January 1986, DFRC (Adobe PDF)
• A SIMULATION EVALUATION OF A FOUR-ENGINE JET TRANSPORT USING ENGINE THRUST MODULATION FOR FLIGHTPATH CONTROL, NASA-TM-4324, September 1991, DFRC (Adobe PDF)
• An Aircraft Model for the AIAA Controls Design Challenge (Adobe PDF)
• Analyzing Time Delays in a Flight Simulation Environment AIAA-90-3174, Sept. 1990 (Adobe PDF)
• A Standard Kinematic Model for Flight Simulation at NASA-Ames NASA CR 2497, Jan. 1975 (Adobe PDF)
  Note: Equation 3.27 in this reference (CR2497) is in error. The equation should be:

  Phidot = P + [Q*sin(phi) + R*cos(phi)] * [sin(tht)/cos(tht)] 
  

  For comparison, see Simulator Aero Model Implementation NASA Ref. Pub. 1374, DOT/FAA/CT-94/83 or Stevens and Lewis "Aircraft Control and Simulation" second edition, eqn. 1.3-22a.
• Simulator Aero Model Implementation NASA Ref. Pub. 1373, DOT/FAA/CT-94/83, 1995 (Adobe PDF)
• The N/Rev phenomenon in Simulating a Blade-Element Rotor System NASA TM 84344, March 1983 (Adobe PDF)
• Anticipation of the Landing Shock NASA TM 89465, Sept. 1987 (Adobe PDF)
• Finite Element Aircraft Simulation of Turbulence NASA TM 110437, Feb. 1997 (Adobe PDF)
• Simulation of Rotor Blade Element Turbulence NASA TM 108862, Jan. 1995 (Adobe PDF)
• NPSNET: Flight Simulation Dynamic Modeling Using Quaternions (Adobe PDF)
• Trimming an Aircraft Model for Flight Simulation NASA TM 89466, OCT. 1987 (Adobe PDF)
• Results of a Flight Simulation Software Methods Survey AIAA 95-3414 (Adobe PDF)
• Icing Encounter Flight Simulator AIAA 2002–0817 (Adobe PDF)
• Derivation and Definition of a Linear Aircraft Model (Adobe PDF)
• Minimum-complexity helicopter simulation math model (Order from CASI)
• The Analysis of a Generic Air-to-Air Missile Simulation Model NASA-94-TM109057 (Adobe PDF)
• Aerodynamics Model for a Generic ASTOVL Lift-Fan Aircraft NASA Technical Memorandum 110347 (Adobe PDF)
• Aircraft Parameter Estimation AIAA Dryden Lecture in Research for 1987, NASA Technical Memorandum 88281 (Adobe PDF)
• Stability and Control Derivative Estimates Obtained From Flight Data for the Beech 99 Aircraft NASA Technical Memorandum 72863 (Adobe PDF)
• In-Flight Lift-Drag Characteristics for a Forward-Swept Wing Aircraft (and Comparisons With Contemporary Aircraft) NASA Technical Paper 3414 (Adobe PDF)
• Supersonic Aerodynamic Characteristics of an Advanced F-16 Derivative Aircraft Configuration NASA Technical Paper 3355 (Adobe PDF)
• NASA HDBK-1001: Terrestrial Environment (Climatic) Handbook for use in Aerospace Vehicle Development - NASA Technical Handbook, Final Draft [Formerly Published as NASA Technical Memorandum 4511, August 1993]
• NEW Prediction of Fighter Aircraft Dynamic Derivatives Using Digital DATCOM, Blake, 1985 (409 KB Adobe PDF)
• NEW High Angle of Attack Aerodynamic Predictions Using Missile DATCOM, Abney, McDaniel, 2005 (245 KB Adobe PDF)

Aircraft Modeling Data

• NEW Aircraft Stability and Control Data, G. Teper, 1969, NASA CR-96008 (3.2 MB Adobe PDF) Aircraft presented: A-7A, A-4D, F-104, F-105B, B-58, Navion, DC-8
• NEW Analysis Of Lateral-Directional Stability Characteristics Of A Twin-Jet Fighter Airplane At High Angles Of Attack, Chambers, Anglin, 1969, NASA TN D-5361 (5.0 MB Adobe PDF) Aircraft Presented: F-4 Phantom (extensive data presented)
• NEW Summary of Directional Divergence Characteristics of Several High-Performance Aircraft Configurations, Greer, 1972, NASA TN D-6993 (3.4 MB Adobe PDF) Aircraft Presented: X-15, F-104, F-4, F-111, F-5/T-38, B-58, etc.
• NEW Aircraft Handling Qualities Data, Heffley, Jewell, 1972, NASA CR-2144 (6.9 MB Adobe PDF) Aircraft Presented: NT-33, F-104A, F-4C, X-15, HL-10, Jetstar, CV-880, B-747, C-5A, XB-70A Note: This is a key and often-referenced paper in flight modeling - a real gem.
• NEW Linearized Aerodynamic and Control Models of the X-29A Airplane and Comparison with Flight Data, Bosworth, 1992 (3.0 MB Adobe PDF)

Important & Relevant Historical NACA Reports

Propellers

• A generalized vortex theory of the screw propeller and its application
• Aerodynamic investigation of a four-blade propeller operating through an angle-of-attack range from 0 to 180 degrees
• Axial-momentum theory for propellers in compressible flow
• Calculation of the effect of thrust-axis inclination on propeller disk loading and comparison with flight measurements
• Investigation of the aerodynamic characteristics of a model wing-propeller combination and of the wing and propeller separately at angles of attack up to 90 degrees
• Notes on propeller design I the energy losses of the propeller
• On the elementary relation between pitch, slip, and propulsive efficiency
• Propeller design - a simple system based on model propeller test data III
• Propeller design extension of test data on a family of model propellers by means of the modified blade element theory II
• Propeller design I practical application of the blade element theory
• Propeller theory of Professor Joukowski and his pupils
• Propeller-efficiency charts for light airplanes
• Propeller-performance charts for transport airplanes
• Proposal for a propeller side-force factor
• The aerodynamic characteristics of full-scale propellers having 2, 3, and 4 blades of Clark y and R.A.F. 6 airfoil sections
• The theory of the screw propeller

Helicopters

• Charts for estimating performance of high-performance helicopters
• Charts showing relations among primary aerodynamic variables for helicopter-performance estimation
• The problem of the helicopter
• The application of airfoil studies to helicopter rotor design

Aircraft Performance

• A new method for the prediction of airplane performance
• A study of flying-boat take-off
• Technical preparation of the airplane - Spirit of St. Louis.
• NACA Report L-334, Measurements of the Flying Qualities of the Supermarine Spitfire V A Airplane
• NACA Report L-353, Stalling Characteristics of the Supermarine Spitfire V A Airplane

Mass Properties

• Estimation of moments of inertia of airplanes from design data
• Measured moments of inertia of 32 airplanes
• Weight bar charts

Aerodynamics

• Determination of the lift and drag characteristics of an airplane in flight
• Experimental investigation of the static aerodynamic and dynamic damping-in-roll characteristics of an 8-cm aircraft rocket with solid and slotted fins
• F-18 Simulation
• Full scale determination of the lift and drag of a seaplane
• In-Flight Lift-Drag Characteristics
• Longitudinal stability in relation to the use of an automatic pilot
• Report on the general design of commercial aircraft
• The aerodynamic characteristics of airfoils at negative angles of attack
• The distribution of loads between the wings of a biplane having decalage
• The estimation of the rate of change of yawing moment with sideslip

Aerospace Periodicals and Online Presence

• Aerospace Online
• Aviation Week and Space Technology

• Thanks to Ralph Carmichael for his support of the FlightGear project. At Public Domain Aeronautical Software you will find the PDAS CD-ROM for sale, packed with great programs of use to aeronautical engineers. At this web site there are also some sample downloads to show what is on the CD.