The Influence of Dimensional Modifications upon the Spin and Recovery Characteristics of a Tailless Airplane Model Having Its Wings Swept Forward 15 Deg (Cornelius XFG-1)

An investigation has been conducted in the Langley 20-foot free- spinning tunnel scale model of the Cornelius XFG-1 glider, a tailless design having its wings swept forward 15 degrees. It was previously found to possess erratic spin and recovery characteristics, and tests were made to determine modifications which would lead to normal steady spins with consistently good recoveries. The results of the investigation indicated that modifications that aid not appreciably alter the basic design aid not appreciably improve the spin and recovery characteristics. In this instance it appears that the sweptforward wing is the cause of unsatisfactory spin and recovery characteristics