[go: up one dir, main page]
Scribd
Upload
27 views2 pages

Chapter2 Prob34

The document discusses the descent of an aircraft modeled by a cubic polynomial, detailing the coefficients a, b, c, and d based on the conditions of the landing. It also explores the relationship between vertical acceleration and horizontal distance, providing a specific case where the pilot must determine the descent initiation point based on given parameters. The final form of the polynomial and the conditions for safe descent are derived mathematically.

Uploaded by

skibidipapap
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
27 views2 pages

Chapter2 Prob34

The document discusses the descent of an aircraft modeled by a cubic polynomial, detailing the coefficients a, b, c, and d based on the conditions of the landing. It also explores the relationship between vertical acceleration and horizontal distance, providing a specific case where the pilot must determine the descent initiation point based on given parameters. The final form of the polynomial and the conditions for safe descent are derived mathematically.

Uploaded by

skibidipapap
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

1

2.34 An aircraft begins its descent at a distance x = L


( x = 0 is the spot at which the plane touches down) and an
altitude of H. Suppose a cubic polynomial of the following
form is used to describe the landing:
y = ax 3 + bx 2 + cx + d
where y is the altitude and x is the horizontal distance to the
aircraft. The aircraft begins its descent from a level position,
and lands at a level position.
(a) Solve for the coefficients a, b, c, and d.
(b) If the aircraft maintains a constant forward speed ( dx
------ = u = cons tan t ) and the magnitude of the verti-
dt
2 2
d y 6Hu
- ≤A.
cal acceleration ( -------2- ) is not to exceed a constant A, show that ------------
dt 2
L
(c) If A = 0.3 ft/s2, H = 15000 ft, and u = 200 mph, how far from the airport should the pilot begin the
descent?
Solution
(a) Since the origin is at the point of landing, y = 0 when x = 0 . This means that d = 0 . Since the air-
craft begins its descent from a level position and lands at a level position, dy
------ = 0 and dy
------ = 0.
dx x=0 dx x=L
2 3
This means that c = 0 and 3aL + 2bL = 0 , or b = – --- aL . With these determinations, the polynomial
2
that describes the landing becomes:
3aL
y = ax 3 – ---------- x 2
2
3
3aL aL 2H
- . Solving for a, gives: a = – ------- .
Finally, y = H when x = L , which yields: H = aL 3 – ---------- L 2 = – --------
2 2 L
3

Substituting into the polynomial, we have the final form:


3H 2 2H 3
y = ------2- x – ------3- x
L L

(b) Differentiating the result from part (a) twice, we have:


2
dy 6Hx dx 6Hx dx
------ = ---------
- ------ – ------------- ------
L dt L dt
dt 2 3

Excerpts from this work may be reproduced by instructors for distribution on a not-for-profit basis
for testing or instructional purposes only to students enrolled in courses for which the textbook
has been adopted. Any other reproduction or translation of this work beyond that permitted by
Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act without the permission of the
copyright owner is unlawful.
2

2 2 2 2
But, dx dy 6Hxu 6Hx u d y 6Hu 12Hxu
------ = u = cons tan t so that ------ = -------------- – ---------------- . Differentiating again, -------- = ------------- – ------------------- . Now,
dt dt 2
L
3
L
2
dt
2
L L
3

2 2 2 2 2
d y 6Hu
-------- ≤ A so that d y 6Hu 12Hxu
-------- = ------------- – ------------------- ≤ A . Since x > 0 , this implies that ------------
- ≤A.
dt 2 dt
2
L
2
L
3
L
2

Excerpts from this work may be reproduced by instructors for distribution on a not-for-profit basis
for testing or instructional purposes only to students enrolled in courses for which the textbook
has been adopted. Any other reproduction or translation of this work beyond that permitted by
Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act without the permission of the
copyright owner is unlawful.

You might also like