Topic for Research Paper?

centralhome · March 13th, 2008, 14:21

I have a research paper I have to do for a class. I am to pick an aircraft, and pick a particular design feature that represents a notible difference or new innovation from other designs of the same period. Then tell if the feature works or does not.
I cannot think of any, wondering if anyone had any ideas that would be interesting to write on?
It cannot be on the v-tail Bonanza or winglets.
Thanks for any suggestions.

wheelsup · March 13th, 2008, 14:51

Obvious one that comes to mind is the unducted/prop fan. GE-36 Engines. According to wikipedia it was estimated to reduce fuel consumption by 60% on the MD-94x aircraft (MD-80 variant). It never caught on, circa mid 90's.

tgrayson · March 13th, 2008, 15:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by centralhome

I cannot think of any,

Ercoupe, lack of rudder pedals
Cirrus, ballistic parachutes
Cessna SkyMaster, centerline thrust
Beech Starship, everything
B52, crosswind landing gear
Arrow, automatic landing gear extension

skidz · March 13th, 2008, 16:01

I've seen one of these last week landing at Lakefront New Orleans, it definitely attracted some attention.

http://www.velocityaircraft.com

centralhome · March 13th, 2008, 16:06

Thanks for the replies.

moxiepilot · March 13th, 2008, 16:15

believe it or not, engines used to rotate about the shaft in some planes - that has changed too.

Polar742 · March 13th, 2008, 16:36

I've always been partial to intriguing concepts of the flying wing, as well as the N9M and YB-49 projects by Northrup Grumman. Interesting conspiracy theories in the YB-49 program too.

Cheechako · March 13th, 2008, 16:36

I did one in college on the A320 and the [at the time] new fly-by-wire concept in commercial aviation.

MQAAord · March 13th, 2008, 17:52

How about the L10-11? It had some pretty good systems for it's time.

E6BAV8R · March 13th, 2008, 19:08

Anything developed by Dassault in their Falcon series, generally. They are like the BMW of aviation.

mtsu_av8er · March 14th, 2008, 06:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by MQAAord

How about the L10-11? It had some pretty good systems for it's time.

That's the L-1011, M'lady!

Ian J · March 14th, 2008, 07:54

I bet no one else in your class is doing helicopters!

The OH-6A was the first helicopter to be outfitted with NOTAR. (No tail rotor).

You could also write about the exploration of tip-jet rotors on helicopters, where the rotors are driven by jet nozzles on the blades instead of by the mast. Interesting concept!

moxiepilot · March 15th, 2008, 09:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polar742

I've always been partial to intriguing concepts of the flying wing, as well as the N9M and YB-49 projects by Northrup Grumman. Interesting conspiracy theories in the YB-49 program too.

That was the canadian jet race, during the war, right?

Polar742 · March 15th, 2008, 09:55

No, actually it was Jack Northrup's passion. Very interesting concepts that got developed. The "brass" wanted conventional, not revolutionary, so the YB-49 was relegated to history. The deomonstration laid the foundation for the B2.

It's a good topic to do a little research on.

March 13th, 2008, 14:21	#1
centralhome Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 72	Topic for Research Paper? I have a research paper I have to do for a class. I am to pick an aircraft, and pick a particular design feature that represents a notible difference or new innovation from other designs of the same period. Then tell if the feature works or does not. I cannot think of any, wondering if anyone had any ideas that would be interesting to write on? It cannot be on the v-tail Bonanza or winglets. Thanks for any suggestions.

March 13th, 2008, 14:51	#2
wheelsup Old Skool Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: _ Posts: 5,181	Re: Topic for Research Paper? Obvious one that comes to mind is the unducted/prop fan. GE-36 Engines. According to wikipedia it was estimated to reduce fuel consumption by 60% on the MD-94x aircraft (MD-80 variant). It never caught on, circa mid 90's. __________________ "It takes just as much time to be nice to someone as it does to be a jerk."

March 13th, 2008, 16:01	#4
skidz Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Trollbane Posts: 1,464	Re: Topic for Research Paper? I've seen one of these last week landing at Lakefront New Orleans, it definitely attracted some attention. http://www.velocityaircraft.com __________________ Private pilot, instrument Embry-Riddle Alumnus USN Active http://forums.jetcareers.com/changin...nfessions.html

March 13th, 2008, 16:06	#5
centralhome Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 72	Re: Topic for Research Paper? Thanks for the replies.

March 13th, 2008, 16:15	#6
moxiepilot Old Skool Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: CFI / CFII in PA Posts: 2,572	Re: Topic for Research Paper? believe it or not, engines used to rotate about the shaft in some planes - that has changed too.

March 13th, 2008, 16:36	#7
Polar742 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Rockledge Posts: 964	Re: Topic for Research Paper? I've always been partial to intriguing concepts of the flying wing, as well as the N9M and YB-49 projects by Northrup Grumman. Interesting conspiracy theories in the YB-49 program too. __________________ Hey! It's all ball bearings nowadays. Now you prepare that Fetzer valve with some 3-in-1 oil and some gauze pads. - Irwin M Fletcher

March 13th, 2008, 16:36	#8
Cheechako Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Wasilla, AK Posts: 965	Re: Topic for Research Paper? I did one in college on the A320 and the [at the time] new fly-by-wire concept in commercial aviation. __________________ Urban Dictionary: /chee-CHA-ko/ Alaska Airlines 737 FO http://www.AllAboutGod.com

March 13th, 2008, 17:52	#9
MQAAord Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: The Looney Bin Posts: 8,813	Re: Topic for Research Paper? How about the L10-11? It had some pretty good systems for it's time. __________________ PPL SEL 100-ish hours TT Former American Airlines F/A (12 months) Former Simmons/Eagle F/A (6 years) Former Eagle ground school instructor (1 year) Former Eagle IOE instructor (3 years)

March 13th, 2008, 19:08	#10
E6BAV8R Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: OKC Posts: 785	Re: Topic for Research Paper? Anything developed by Dassault in their Falcon series, generally. They are like the BMW of aviation.

March 14th, 2008, 07:54	#12
Ian J Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Manchester, CT Posts: 5,639 Blog Entries: 7	Re: Topic for Research Paper? I bet no one else in your class is doing helicopters! The OH-6A was the first helicopter to be outfitted with NOTAR. (No tail rotor). You could also write about the exploration of tip-jet rotors on helicopters, where the rotors are driven by jet nozzles on the blades instead of by the mast. Interesting concept! __________________

March 15th, 2008, 09:55	#14
Polar742 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Rockledge Posts: 964	Re: Topic for Research Paper? No, actually it was Jack Northrup's passion. Very interesting concepts that got developed. The "brass" wanted conventional, not revolutionary, so the YB-49 was relegated to history. The deomonstration laid the foundation for the B2. It's a good topic to do a little research on. __________________ Hey! It's all ball bearings nowadays. Now you prepare that Fetzer valve with some 3-in-1 oil and some gauze pads. - Irwin M Fletcher

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