THE ENERGY LOSS IN PITCHING MANEUVERS

Abstract

SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS: (a) For a simple pull-up/pushover maneuver with a given initial load factor, there is a value of the intermediate speed (with a corresponding flight path slope and pushover load factor) which minimizes the total loss of energy height. (b) The minimum loss of energy height diminishes as the initial load factor is increased. (c) The optinum pushover load factor is substantially independent of the pull-up load factor. (d) It may be inferred that, in any pitching maneuver, it will pay to keep the load factor low at low speeds and to apply a high load factor for a short time at high speeds. (e) A poorly executed maneuver involving a high load factor may dissipate more energy than a well-executed maneuver with a lower load factor. (f) If the drag increments due to control deflections and flight path curvature are introduced, the advantage of high load factor maneuvers may largely vanish. In any case, the differences in loss of energy height are small.