Projects
Rudder Tab On A-1 Series Blimps
Summary: Rudder Tab certification
Project Name: Rudder Tab On A-1 Series Blimps
Client: American Blimp Company
Client Request: The client requested a fix to balance the aerodynamic torque created by an installed Lightsign on the left side of the blimp’s envelope.
Project Summary: We did the preliminary sizing for a fixed rudder tab and worked with ABC on the detail design. Fliegen Works developed the aerodynamic loads, produced a structural test proposal and then DER witnessed the tests. The design of a fixed tab on a Rudder of ABC A-1 series airships was a challenge since a number of engineering estimations were made. From minimal available blimp flight and aerodynamic data and old NACA data an analysis was performed to design a fixed rudder tab that biased the rudder to compensate for the unsymmetrical drag on the airship due to the Lightsign on one side of the airship. This was a major change to the type design by the type certificate holder.
Results: Successful flight testing, installation and approval of rudder tab on A-1 series blimp. Pilot force required to maintain straight flight reduced to acceptable levels. Rather than complex CFD, a simple method combined with a little guesswork was applied. Minimal time and cost was required to produce the required results in this manner.
5850 Float Installation on DHC-2 Beaver
Summary: Developed a certification plan for installation of Aerocet 5850 Twin Seaplane Floats on a Dehavilland DHC-2 Beaver Airplane.
Project Name: Aerocet Floats Installation on a DeHavilland DHC-2 Beaver Airplane
Client: Aerocet Inc.
Client Request: To receive a certification plan that would allow them to get an STC for installing Aerocet 5850 floats on a DeHavilland DHC-2 Beaver airplane.
Project Summary: The client designed new composite floats for installation on the DeHavilland DHC-2 Beaver airplane. They asked Fliegen Works to develop a certification plan and checklist to get this installation approved by the FAA. Fliegen Works also performed flight and landing structural loads analysis on the float attachments in order to certify the mounting of the new floats.
Results: Fliegen Works developed a compliance plan and checklist and developed a Maintenance Manual (MM), Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA), and an Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC). The installation has been approved for an STC.
FAA Approvals: STC for installation of Aerocet Floats on a DeHavilland DHC-2 Beaver airplane.
