Extraction of subscale free-flight aerodynamics from rotary tests of combat aircraft

Interpretation of high-alpha rotary data is complicated by viscous fluid/motion coupling and facility interference. The physical flow mechanisms underlying the measured aerodynamic characteristics of the AGARD WG 16 generic aircraft configuration are analyzed. A concept of threshold rotation rates identified with the critical flow states is introduced. The deterministic nature of the rotary aerodynamics is revealed. It is shown that the free-flight characteristics at the model scale can be determined when the support interference effects have been quantified. (Author)