Carr - Woolman Flight Appreciation Center

Integrated Resilient Aircraft Control Flight Test

Can a fighter jet or airliner suffer major damage and stay in flight? Work being done at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center continues to look into ways to do just that. This is a report from NASA’s technology transfer magazine, “Spinoff.” NASA does a lot for the American people and I am glad to reprint this article about work done at my former workplace, NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center.  Thanks to my former colleague at NASA Dryden, Yvonne Gibbs Kellogg for permission to post this.  

Integrated Resilient Aircraft Control Flight Test

 Adaptive flight control technology is being developed under NASA’s Aviation Safety Program to enable control of aircraft in all conditions, including those where the aircraft is degraded, where ice disrupts its controllability, or where the aircraft is upset by turbulence. The project’s primary goal is to develop adaptive and fault-tolerant flight control systems, tackling the primary cause of accidents in commercial jet aviation. In the summer of 2008, a series of flights were flown on NASA’s NF-15B Intelligent Flight Control System (IFCS) airplane to pro­vide validation of two specific adaptive controls designs. The information obtained from these flight tests provides validation of the concepts and points out aspects needing further improvement. This is an ongoing effort with a long-term goal of promoting adaptive control technology as a viable design solution for increased aircraft safety and resilience.

Current control system technology is based on a model of how an undamaged, unperturbed aircraft will behave in normal flight conditions and thus may not be able to control the aircraft well in abnormal conditions. The adaptive systems “learn” about the new flight condi­tion as it is experienced, and thus can account for much larger and more drastic changes. These new state-of-the-art control algorithms can correctly identify and respond to changes in aircraft stability and control characteristics, enabling the system to adjust immediately in order to maintain the best possible flight performance in a wide range of abnormal conditions. While benefits have been shown in simulations, NASA’s flight tests provide unique validation of these benefits in a more realistic environ­ment.

NASA’s NF-15B IFCS airplane provided a research test bed platform uniquely suited to test the adaptive control, with an unprec­edented combination of control power and onboard computational capability. The vehicle started as a robust F-15 fighter aircraft with high structural strength in case the experimental control algorithm does not respond as predicted. Large canard control surfaces were added to the vehicle. The excess control capability allows for in-flight simulation of the effects of significant vehicle damage. The flight con­trol computer was augmented with additional processors that allow for testing of very complex adaptive control schemes.

During the flights in the summer of 2008, the adaptive systems were subjected to a destabilizing flight condi­tion in which, without the adaptive system engaged, the vehicle was almost impossible to pilot. When the adaptive system was engaged, most of the good flying charac­teristics of the vehicle were restored. In another test, a flight control surface was “stuck.” Unlike normal flight conditions, in which some control surfaces control pitch and others control roll, in this condition, the remaining pitch control surfaces created an asymmetric command that also created roll, and thus the control of pitch and roll was cross-coupled. With normal control systems, this type of behavior can be very disorienting to a pilot, but the adaptive control system regained control, provided maneuvering capability, and eventually provided the abil­ity to land the damaged vehicle safely.

The flight results demonstrated the potential of con­trol systems to adapt to failures and adverse conditions. The information collected from these flights will lead to improvements in future adaptive systems and smooth their implementation in many vehicle classes, including commercial, fighter, transport aircraft, unmanned air vehicles, and spacecraft.

North Central Airlines DC-9, N940N, "9918", Found in Arizona

Stuart Haigh - topjetpix via airliners.net

In my continuing search for historical artifacts of North Central Airlines on the web, I found this article the other day about the aircraft shown above. This is an excerpt from the "USA Today", April 6, 2009 By Joshua Freed, AP Airlines Writer:

Shrinking airlines park more planes in the desert

"....While the airline downturn is bringing some relatively new planes to the desert, most are old workhorses.

Northwest Airlines DC-9 No. 9918 is one of those. The plane was delivered new to Minnesota-based North Central Airlines on Oct. 25, 1973, according to Ascend. It stayed in the fleet when North Central was swallowed by rival Republic Airlines in 1979, which was absorbed by Northwest Airlines in 1986.

No. 9918 made 47 flights in the first 10 days of July, 2008, to destinations from Grand Forks, N.D., to New York's LaGuardia. On July 10 at 7:21 a.m. it took off from Traverse City, Mich., and flew its last paying passengers to Minneapolis, according to FlightAware. By the end of that day it was parked at Marana.

Now, like all the stored planes here, its two engine pods are empty so they can be wrapped separately and preserved for resale. The windows are covered to keep out the sun.

Inside, the plane looks ready for paying passengers again. Clear plastic sheets shield the blue seats from dust. Two blue blankets are still in the overhead bins. In the cockpit, orange tags dangle from some of the instruments and electronics, noting what has been removed and when they were last checked.

Mechanically speaking, the only thing standing between the Wild Blue Yonder and No. 9918 are new engines, some cockpit electronics and a thorough inspection. Coffaro says planes like this can be used for short-haul flights in Venezuela or Brazil. But the old red-tailed workhorse could also bleach like a cattle skull in the desert until it's turned into soda cans or iPod cases. An airliner that's been stripped of valuable parts like the cockpit, the landing gear, and the doors can still yield as much as 80,000 pounds of aluminum...."

 

NASA - 60 Years of Flight Research -Part 5 1986 - 1996

This video covers the most of the years I worked at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center. It covers the F-18 HARV, X-31, F-15 ACTIVE and X-29 research programs. I loved these aircraft. It was an honor to work with them and the good people at Dryden who worked on these programs.

North Central's Star Spangled Skunk

I found this on a webpage of Sport's Illustrated magazine's archives of all things. It is from April 2, 1956.

"....North Central Airlines, which serves many northwestern states, has had a high rate of wildlife problems, including an unexpectedly odoriferous one. Recently a skunk sauntered into Central's office at Hibbing, Minnesota and settled down for what threatened to be a lengthy visit. Manager Charles M. Cox promptly and logically evacuated his headquarters and paced up and down in mounting frustration. Passengers were arriving, an overhead flight was insistently demanding a report on field conditions, and the skunk was in undisputed command. About the time airline operations lapsed into a state of total confusion, Hibbing's station WMFG started its morning broadcast. The Star-Spangled Banner blared from the office radio, the skunk rocketed out the door, and the airline's day, if not the nation's dignity, was saved...."

Delta's Widget Logo Prototype

The following is reposted at the CWFAC from the Delta Air Lines official blog on September 15, 2009.

Image of the Week: “Widget” Logo Prototype

Posted using ShareThis

It’s been 50 years since our ”widget” logo first appeared in advance ads for Delta Royal Jet Service. Below is a rare work-in-progress drawing of the widget by Robert Bragg, a vice president at Delta’s ad agency BDA, who designed the jet logo that evolved into our corporate logo.

The initial idea that sparked Bragg’s design came from Delta’s Richard (Dick) Maurer, Delta senior vice president, general counsel and secretary. In 1955, he noticed a similarity between the Greek letter ‘delta’ and the swept-wing appearance of the new jets seen overhead, and shared his thoughts with Bob Adams, head of Delta’s ad agency.  Click here to read the entire letter.

By the early 1960s, the widget had evolved from our first jet service logo into our official corporate logo. Delta’s advertising department described the symbolism of the widget’s colors of red, white, and blue: “Within the strong outline of the triangle, the blue portion points to the sky where we fly—the point represents the pinnacle of professional achievement. Just entering the blue is the swept wing of the jet, represented by the broad white ‘V.’ The flat broad base suggests Delta’s solid foundation. Colored red, it can be regarded not only as the exhaust behind the jet but also the flame of leadership that keeps the point headed upward.”

Thank you to Eve Bragg for permission to reproduce Robert Bragg’s widget concept drawing.

Marie Force

Archives Manager

Delta Air Lines' Honor Guard for the Fallen

In my search for "Delta Family" stories, I came upon this today. From the blog, "SEASIDE CAFE LE WUILLEMET" This is a story the blog’s author received in one of those endless email forwards, but she does not know who started it Normally, I would not perpetuate these things, but this one is a great story. It is just the thing I am looking for here at the CWFAC. It is a story about Delta having an honor guard of employees to receive the body of a fallen service person when in transit aboard a Delta aircraft at ATL. This video choked me up a little when I watched it. This is a great story.

"Dear Net members,

As a retired Air Force Reserve Lt. Colonel, I am truly touched by the actions of Delta's Honor Guard people and proud of Delta Air Lines for making this caring moment possible for our fallen heroes. What a tribute to those men and women who have sacrificed their lives to insure our freedom and safety. God Bless them.

This is from a friend at Delta.....makes me very proud of the Delta family:

My son, Ura (aka Bucky) told me about this video and the program Delta started a few years ago at the Atlanta airport. DL carries a lot of human remains shipments and they started an honor guard to meet and honor all our veterans. The honor guard initially was on the day shift only but recently expanded to the night shift and Ura has become involved. They honor all veterans not just those of our most recent conflict. In this case, the veteran is the father of a DL employee and he is being escorted by his grandson who is in the Air Force. A videographer saw one of these ceremonies and asked if he could film one and this is the resulting video. Brian McConnell is the DL employee who is heading this honor guard and he is trying to be sure we also honor the casualties of the Iraq/Afghanistan. I think this is a wonderful thing that was started by employees and makes me proud of DL. Ura has always been involved with things that honor our military like the military lounge DL sets up each Christmas. (in fact that is where he met his wife. They were both volunteering in the lounge). I am very proud of his participation.

 Delta's Atlanta Worldport Honor Guard

March 20, 2006....

....One evening on the Atlanta ramp, Tom Schenk was delivering bags to a gate when he saw what appeared to be a soldier standing at the front of the aircraft saluting a coffin. Compelled to investigate, he walked to the belt loader, wading through bags and workers in their flurry of activity. There he saw a female Marine; she had tears in her eyes. He stood at attention and joined her in rendering honors. After the body was loaded onto a cart, Mr. Schenk, a retired Navy Petty Officer, introduced himself and inquired about the deceased.

 The young Marine escort revealed that the casket contained the body of her brother. He was killed in Iraq protecting her and others in their unit. Unsure of just what to do, Tom Schenk determined at that moment that we must begin to show a greater degree of honor and caring when we have the opportunity. His passion drove him to rally support from many willing Delta employees.

 The paint shop in Atlanta designed and created a special cart, on their own time, to be used when receiving a military body. Worldport leadership has continuously offered assistance, removing operational obstacles by allowing volunteer agents time to help in this effort. Caring people in Worldport Cargo have worked hard to make sure the special cart makes it to the inbound on time and that the escorts are carried to the correct outbound gate. The ACS Forum has welcomed, supported and promoted the Honor Guard all over the Delta system. A host of Customer Service Agents have dedicated themselves to making this unique service outstanding – occasionally donating time on their off days to make it happen. The Chief Pilot's office has made it a priority to keep everyone informed whenever they have a military HR and escort. A VFW post and other anonymous individuals have donated money to purchase flags, emblems and vests. What a caring and focused team we have here!

 "It's the least we can do." says Mr. Schenk, "These people took a stand for us so we can continue our way of life." One of the escorts said it best, "It's so uplifting at a time like this to be surrounded by people who really care. It's an honor and privilege to know the people of this airline." We agree. -- Frank 'n' Carol Ann (Legge Wichterman) Faulkner, Chandler, AZ"

Do you have a great "Delta Family" story to share at the Carr-Woolman Flight Appreciaton Center? Let me know. I would love to hear from you. Remember at Delta, "Good Goes Around." 

Lifting Body Aircraft

This is the first entry for the Reed Technical Research Hangar category of the Carr - Woolman Flight Appreciation Center. It is named in honor of the late NASA flight research scientist, Dale Reed. I will have videos put into this category that will feature some of my favorite aircraft and aeronautical research issues. Dale Reed pioneered NASA lifting body research which led to the development of the Space Shuttle. He was one my favorite engineers at my time at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center. He was a great person to know. Meet Dale in this video a look at his specialty, the development of "Flight Without Wings," the lifting body concept.

Alaska Airlines' Aviation Geek Night

If you are an aviation or more specifically, an airline fan like I am, you have probably wished your favorite airline would let you go behind the scenes to see how they train. This is akin to getting the golden ticket to the Willy Wonka factory. When I was a kid, I got to go on a tour of TWA's training academy in Kansas City. Later, Delta folks let me and my brother hang out with them behind the scenes at MEM (Memphis, TN.). The good people at Alaska Airlines are now giving airline fans a look at their training facilities. Follow the link to a review of Alaska's first ever, "Aviation Geek Night."  Thanks Alaska!

Delta Declares Retro Uniform Week!

From March 23rd to the 29th Delta and its new family members at Northwest will have a retro uniform week for flight attendants. Very cool! If you see, an F/A wearing a throwback Delta, Republic or North Central uniform let me know here at the Center. If you get an image and permission from the F/A, I will post it here. I am really pleased that Delta will honor its Northwest heritage like this. Now, can retro liveries on some aircraft be far behind? Will we see a North Central or Republic Herman the duck flying again? One can only hope. Something Northwest never was willing to do. They did turned North Central's famous DC-3 "728" into a Northwest retro aircraft! Sacrilege that was! 

One note, for international security restrictions (oh please!) throwback uniforms will only be allowed for domestic Delta/Northwest flights. Sigh..... As of March 30, all flight attendants will sport the modern, new Delta uniforms. 

Widgetheads.net is now a Carr - Woolman Flight Appreciation Center Destination

This message is for Concourse B. Attention on the Concourse. The Carr-Woolman Flight Appreciation Center would like to announce the arrival of a new Delta Air Lines gate. Widgetheads.net is now occupying Gate B14. Widgetheads.net is a site devoted to technical data for Delta Air Lines. It covers aircraft information files, re-paints, modifications, what new aircraft have joined the fleet and what have left the fleet. There are updates in stations converting from Delta to Northwest. I especially like his nice family history chart that denotes the Delta and Northwest heritage. He has denoted Republic Airlines (1979-86) and its linage including North Central, Southern and Hughes Air West. A lot of good data can be found here for the widgethead in all of us Delta fans. Widgetheads.net, the Delta fan site piloted by one of our own. Depart for Widgetheads.net though Gate B14. Your captain is Justin Halbsgut. In addition, please note that Finnair is now located in Gate B15.