Extension of Glider Tow Cable Theory to Elastic Cables Subject to Air Forces of a Generalised Form

摘要

The theoretical analysis-of tow cable configuration and of the longitudinal stability of a glider in towed flight has been extended in this report to elastic cables. In the light of recent experimental results, the air force on the cable has been assumed in a form more general than hitherto, with components-normal and tangential to the cable.nCalculations made-for the Hotspur glider, in towed flight show that elasticity has an important effect on cable derivatives, and on the period of the glider-cable oscillations.- The calculated periods of the oscillations concerned are, for the inextensible cable, 4-5 seconds, and for the extensible cable about 9-10 seconds. The latter value compares favourably with recent flight measurements.