Trestle Wind Tunnel Study

Abstract : This report presents the results of an experimental and analytical study to determine the effects of atmospheric winds on aircraft situated on the ramp and test stand of the TRESTLE facility which is being built at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. The program included model tests to determine the wind flow patterns around the TRESTLE facility and the use of the wind flow data in an analysis to predict the effects of these winds on various large aircraft. The model tests, which were conducted in the Calspan Atmospheric Simulation Facility, included flow visualization studies and quantitative hot-film anemometer measurements of three components of mean velocity. A simplified method of analysis was developed to estimate the forces and moments on aircraft situated in the experimentally determined flow field. The analysis incorporated provisions to account for unconventional wind-aircraft orientations and nonuniform flow fields. Results of the program are presented for twelve wind directions, three different aircraft, and nine positions of each aircraft on the TRESTLE facility ramp and test stand.