AE372,

2016, Dr.Ilkay Yavrucuk

14.02.2016

AE372
Flight Mechanics
Spring 2016
Instructor: Dr.Ilkay Yavrucuk
Homework#1
Due on: 21 March 2015, beginning of class.

Q1. In this class (and many other classes in Flight Mechanics) we will assume that the earth is flat,
non-rotating etc. and that the earths curvature and rotation is negligible. But how much of an error
do we really make in using these assumptions? Are they really negligible? The questions below will
help you find the answer.

Assume an aircraft flying from Istanbul straight south to Cape Town, South Africa at a constant speed
of 800 km/h. (Fig.1)

a. What is the average acceleration the aircraft will need due to earths curvature only in order
to maintain constant altitude?
b. What is the average acceleration due to the earths curvature and earths rotation around
combined in order to maintain constant altitude?

(Assume perfect sphere, neglect rotation around sun)

Istanbul

Cape T own

Fig.1

Q2. The velocity vector of an aircraft with respect to the ground (earth), written in the body
! T
axis system is VBE = ! 800 40 5 # km / h . The Euler Angles are constant and are found
" $
as follows: =20deg, =0deg, =140deg. (Assumptions: Earth is flat, non-rotating, still
atmosphere)
a. Find the magnitude of the velocity vector. What is u,v,w?
b. Find the velocity vector of the aircraft in the Vehicle-Carried Coordinate System?
Compare the magnitude with part a. Should they be the same, why?
c. Find the Angle-of-attack and the side-slip angle.
d. Find the climb path angle.

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AE372, 2016, Dr.Ilkay Yavrucuk
14.02.2016
e. Assuming no acceleration, what is the distance the aircraft will travel in 10min.?
What is the new position of the aircraft in 10min., if the position of the aircraft at
t=0s in n earth fixed coordinate system is (0,0,0).


Q3. A passenger
! airplane is flying straight from East to West on the equator of the earth at a
velocity ( V ) of 900km/h (with respect to an observer on earth) at 32.000ft with an angle of
attack of 5 degrees and no sideslip (Fig.1). (Assumptions: Earth is flat, non-rotating, still
atmosphere)
a) Find the Euler Angles of the aircraft
b) Write the velocity vector (of the aircraft with respect to the observer on earth) in
the body- fixed coordinate system.
c) Write the velocity vector (of the aircraft with respect to the observer on earth) in
the vehicle-carried coordinate system.
d) Write the velocity vector (of the aircraft with respect to the observer on earth) in an
earth-fixed coordinate system attached at the equator.

xB
AOA= 5deg
East
West East
West
V

Figure 1: Airplane flying to West.

Notes:
Clearly show all formulas, data, additional assumptions you use in your calculations.
Clearly show your calculations.
Give short and compact answers.
Express yourself clearly.
No need for fancy report formats.

Policy:
Students are encouraged to discuss homework verbally with each other, but you may not work
together when preparing written answers nor may written answers be compared. Homework is
due at the beginning of class on the day it is due. Late homework will be graded, but will not
necessarily receive any points.

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