INVESTIGATION OF THE SPEED REDUCTION METHOD FOR THE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF GLIDERS

Abstract

An account of the capabilities of the DLR's data gathering system VP3-IMA pilots were able to perform with the research glider DG 300/17m an almost horizontal flight path. In stationary experiments utilizing the Speed Reduction Method were conducted between 3000 m and 200 m. The experiments showed the advantage of the Speed Reduction Method compared to other insationary methods due to quasi-stationary conditions and flyability. The evaluation of only eight flights lead to a polar which differs less than 5% from the polar gained by the Partial Glide Method. The method also offers the possibility to measure the performance during stall and in rain.