A Crab Angle Sensing System (CASS) was designed and developed. The purpose of the CASS system is to provide a continuous indication of the angle between the axis of the aircraft and the centerline of the runway during aircraft landings. The principles of a lobe switching RF system, utilizing existing navigation equipment, are employed in the CASS system. The installation of such a system in typical aircraft would, therefore, require a minimum of modification to aircraft equipment. The feasibility of the design concept was successfully demonstrated during ground tests. The calculated probable error in the measurement of bearing angle was less than 0.3 degrees. Aircraft accuracy tests were conducted with the CASS equipment installed on an FAA DC-6B(N-114). The results of these tests indicated a 'dead zone' of approximately plus or minus 6 degrees. The primary cause of the 'dead zone' could be attributed to the antenna installation since the measured performance of the electronics equipment was satisfactory. Based on the total data obtained during this program, it is concluded that CASS is a feasible system for the determination of aircraft crab angle during landings.
Crab Angle Sensing System
1967
77 pages
Report
No indication
English