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Examining over 100 years of flight automation and the history of the autopilot

Aerotime

His system would provide an aircraft with automatic stability and control mechanism, through the control of the ailerons, stabilizer, and tail rudder through the use of a set of simple gyroscopes. Sperrys innovation was presented at the competition installed in a Curtiss C-2 single-engine airplane with a hull-shaped lower fuselage.

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Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Stipa-Caproni

Vintage Aviation News

The contract for building Stipa’s design was given to Caproni in 1932, as the Italian government was seeking ways to showcase Italian aviation technology. The duct, as predicted by Stipa, had a profile similar to that of the airfoil, with a fairly small rudder and elevators mounted on the trailing edge of the duct. II Editore F.

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Flight Test Files: Grumman F-14 Tomcat

Vintage Aviation News

Since the 1940s, Dryden has been a hub for cutting-edge flight testing, contributing significantly to the development of modern aviation technologies. This series highlights the aircraft operated by NASAs Dryden Flight Research Centernow known as the Armstrong Flight Research Centerlocated in Edwards, California.

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A Bristol Bulldog Biplane Fighter is Once Again in the Sky

Vintage Aviation News

You have to use a lot of rudder—I mean you have to be rabid as far as using the rudder to control the airplane, and it wheel lands very nicely.” It’s the rudder that is doing everything. And then when you get down near the threshold, you just hold it off and gently let the wheels down. Photo by David Leininger

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Today in Aviation History: First Flight of The Mitsubishi 3MT5

Vintage Aviation News

The modifications included replacing the single fin and rudder with a twin-tail design to improve stability. Aviation technology was advancing rapidly, and newer designs were already on the horizon. Trials and Tribulations Between 1932 and 1933, Mitsubishi produced additional prototypes with significant alterations.