Aircraft loading a n d structural layout

typical n V .
diagram

There are four definitive values of the normal factor in any

given case although not all appear in all sets of requirements and the
sometimes differs. They are:

the maximum positive, upright, value;

the lower normal acceleration factor at the speed
the maximum negative. inverted, value:
the maximum positive value at the speed when it differs from

In some structural design codes the values of the normal acceleration factors are
specifically stated. In others, especially those relating to military aircraft, the value of
the maximum normal acceleration factor, is quoted in the specification for the
aircraft and the other values are determined from it. Table is a summary of the
normal acceleration factors to be found in the various design codes together with typical
values where is given the specification for the aircraft.
It should be noted that the speeds used in the diagram are equivalent airspeeds
This is because loads are directly to the dynamic pressure which is half
the product of the sea level air density and the square of the equivalent air speed, see
Chapter Section
The diagram describes. all the points corresponding to every specified
symmetric manoeuvre the vehicle is permitted to perform. The comers correspond to
the maximum manocuvrcs permitted on the assumed probability of occurrence and
consequently it is sufficient in general to examine only these comers when considering
 Flight loading 47

Table Limit normal acceleration factors (basic flight design mass)'

Class of aircraft Code

Civil:
Sailplane. normal utility JAR 22 5.3 1.5 2.65 4.0
Sailplane. acrobatic JAR 22 7.0 5.0 5.0 7.0
Very light aircraft than) JAR VLA 3.8 0 1.5 3.8
Utility JAR 23 4.2 1.0 1.76 4.2
JAR 23 6.0 3.0 3.0 6.0
Normal, up to 1860 mass JAR 23 and 0 4.2
Normal, above 22665 kgmass JAR 25 0 1.0 2.5
United States military: MIL A 00886 A
Strategic transport 2.5 0 1.0 2.5
Assault transport 3.0 0 1.0 3.0
Heavy bomber 3.0 0 3.0
Medium bomber 4.0 0 2.0 4.0
Trainer 6.0 1.0 3.0 6.0
Supersonic 6.5 1.0 3.0 6.5
Subsonic 8.0 3.0 8.0
United Kingdom military: Def.Stan.00 970
Strategic transport (Typical specified 2.5 2.5
Tactical transport values of 3.0 3.0
Medium bomber. the range 4.0t05.0 0.5 1.8 to 2.4
Trainer 7.0 1.1 3.6 7.0
Supersonic interceptor 6.0 0.8 3.0 6.0
Subsonic attack 8.0 4.2 4.2 8.0
'Reduced the acceleration factor are used for
masses 24 is mass

the loading cases. By this means the infinite number of possible manoeuvres to be
considered can be reduced to a reasonable number of cases to be examined in detail.
It is, however, necessary to consider the possible variation of other parameters some
of which may result in changes Lo the of the envelope. Among these are:

(a) Different engine conditions. Usually power on and power off is sufficient.
All vehicle masses. Zero fuel or part fuel cases often design inner wing
structure of an aircraft wing fuel tanks.
All possible centre of gravity positions corresponding to a particular vehicle
mass. It is usually adequate to consider the most forward and aft positions.
All possible Mach number combinations relating to the equivalent airspeed
condition number effects can alter not only the magnitude of
the load also the distribution of the load over the vehicle surfaces and may
introduce the effects of temperature. In the case of supersonic aircraft it is