The influence of lateral stability on disturbed motions of an airplane with special reference to the motions produced by gusts

Distributed lateral motions have been calculated for a hypothetical small airplane with various modifications of fin area and dihedral setting. Special combinations of disturbing factors to simulate gusts are considered and the influence of lateral stability on the motions is discussed. Fin area and wing dihedral were found to be of primary importance in side gusts. It was found that the rolling action of the wing with as much as 5 degrees dihedral was distinctly unfavorable, especially when the weathercock stability was small. It is pointed out that the greatest susceptibility to lateral disturbances lies in the inherent damping and coupling moments developed by the wing