The NASA/Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Tailplane Icing Program (TIP) resulted from a concern about aircraft incidents and accidents due to ice-contaminated tailplane stall (ICTS). At least 16 accidents resulting in 139 fatalities have been attributed to such stall. The objectives of this program were to improve understanding of iced tailplane aeroperformance and aircraft aerodynamics and to develop training aids and design tools to expand the awareness of ICTS.
Lewis’ Twin Otter icing research aircraft.
TIP was a 4-yr research program that employed a combination of facilities. These included NASA Lewis Research Center’s Icing Research Tunnel to generate actual ice shapes, the Ohio State University’s 7x10 ft Low Speed Wind Tunnel to provide tailplane aeroperformance data, and finally Lewis’ icing research aircraft, a modified DeHavilland DHC-6 Twin Otter, for tailplane aeroperformance and aircraft aerodynamics measurements. The highlighted accomplishments to date are
Twin Otter tailplane with artificial ice shape and flow probes. The ice shapes were cast from ice generated in Lewis’ Icing Research Tunnel.
At the conclusion of the flight tests, we felt that TIP had gathered enough new information that it should be shared. A Guest Pilot Workshop was developed to demonstrate first hand the unique flying qualities of an aircraft with an ice-contaminated tailplane. An international group representing various facets of the aviation industry--aviation regulatory agencies, aircraft manufacturers, and aviation media pilots and reporters--were invited. In total, 15 guest pilots and engineers flew the Twin Otter with the tailplane ice shape attached. This demonstration program provided a mutually beneficial forum for the exchange of information between NASA and the user community. Feedback from the guest pilots has been very positive. Each indicated a greater appreciation of ICTS as a result of this guest pilot workshop. In addition, a 23-min video, Tailplane Icing , was produced and distributed. The target audience is primarily pilots who might encounter in-flight icing. It has been enthusiastically received.
TIP and the Guest Pilot Workshop are excellent examples of NASA’s response to flight safety initiatives and quick release of information to the user community. TIP is now complete, but a follow-on program, TIP 2, has begun to look at other tailplane configurations and subscale test methods. Learjet and The Wichita State University are partners in the continued activity.
Find out more about the research of Lewis' Icing Branch.
Lewis contacts: Thomas P. Ratvasky, (216) 433-3905,
Thomas.P.Ratvasky@grc.nasa.gov; and Judith Foss Van Zante, (216)
433-3587,
Judith.K.VanZante@grc.nasa.gov
Authors: Thomas P. Ratvasky and Judith Foss Van Zante
Headquarters program office: OAT
Programs/Projects: AOS
Special recognition: Six articles in aviation magazines including
Aviation Week
,
Flying
, and
Airline Pilot
Last updated June 16, 1999, by Nancy.L.Obryan@nasa.gov
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