The Effects of Fuel Sloshing on the Lateral Stability of a Free-Flying Airplane Model

Abstract

Memorandum presenting an investigation in the free-flight tunnel to determine the effect of the sloshing of fuel in partly filled, unbaffled tanks on the lateral stability of a free-flying model. Flight tests were made to determine the effects of the water sloshing for different depths of water and various masses and moments of inertia of the model. The sloshing caused small-amplitude, high-frequency lateral oscillations which were superimposed on the normal Dutch roll oscillation so that the lateral motions of the model appeared jerky.