Design Sensitivity Studies on the T-Tail Flutter of a Transport Aircraft

Abstract

The studies of dynamic and aeroelastic characteristics of a high T-Tail transport aircraft at component and full level using MSC/NASTRAN code and correlation with the results obtained from ground vibration tests of the aircraft have thrown light on the complexities of the T-Tail dynamics and flutter characteristics. The critical flutter velocities of the complete aircraft have been evaluated by the PK and KE methods of NASTRAN. The effects of variability of the locations and magnitude of the non-structural masses in the fuselage on the T-Tail flutter velocities have been studied by a parametric analysis. Sensitivity study of the elevator mass balancing on its dynamics and the flutter velocities have also been addressed. The flutter velocities and margins have been examined from the certification aspects. Addressing design issues of the aircraft related to fuselage flexibility and T-Tail flutter from an aeroelastic point of view has been attempted in this paper.