Flight characteristics of the AD-1 oblique-wing research aircraft

The AD-1 is a low-speed oblique-wing research airplane. This report reviews the vehicle's basic flight characteristics, including many aerodynamic, stability, and control effects that are unique to an oblique-wing configuration. These effects include the change in sideforce with angle of attack, moment changes with angle of attack and load factor, initial stall on the trailing wing, and inertial coupling caused by a roll-pitch cross product of inertia. An assessment of the handling qualities includes pilot ratings and comments. Ratings were generally satisfactory through 30 deg of wing sweep but degraded with increased sweep. A piloted simulation study indicated that a basic rate feedback control system could be used to improve the handling qualities at higher wing sweeps.