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Description
The NASA Dryden Flow Visualization Facility (FVF) was built in 1983 and is part of the Dryden Flight Research Center located at Edwards AFB, Edwards, California. The FVF is a convenient, inexpensive tool that provides a means by which complex flow fields can be observed. As the designs of advanced technology vehicles become more complex, water tunnels have become increasingly useful as a time- and cost-effective flow diagnostic tool. Since the start of its operation, the FVF's primary use has been to study highly complex 3-dimensional vortex flow on aircraft configurations. Because of the low Reynolds numbers obtainable in a water tunnel, it is best used to investigate flow regimes where the vortex flow is dominant over viscous flow effects. Ideally, a water tunnel is best used in the infant stages of aircraft development. Potential problems can be identified and a variety of fixes may be implemented before a substantially more expensive wind tunnel model is built and tested. Flow visualization in a water tunnel, however, is useful at any stage of aircraft development. Observation of the flow is a good first step toward providing physical explanations for anomalies or phenomena discovered during wind tunnel or flight tests. Once the causes are understood, possible configuration modifications can easily be investigated. The Dryden FVF is a convenient and inexpensive tool that can provide a qualitative, and sometimes quantitative, description of complex fluid phenomena. As the designs of advanced technology vehicles become more complex, water tunnels have become increasingly useful as a flow diagnostic tool. The visualization and interpretation of complicated fluid motions around isolated vehicle components and complete configurations in a time- and cost-effective manner can be key elements in the development of flow control concepts.
Description
NASA research pilot Edward T. Schneider in the cockpit of an F-104. Schneider served as a U.S. Navy pilot from 1968 to 1983, during which time he trained at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, and received assignments as an engineering test pilot, as a test pilot school instructor, and as a Naval Liaison Officer at what was then called the Ames-Dryden Flight Research Facility (now the Dryden Flight Research Center). Schneider joined NASA as a research pilot in 1983. Over the next 17 years, he was a project pilot on the F-18 High Angle-of-Attack program, the F-15 aeronautical research aircraft, the B-52 launch aircraft, and the NASA SR-71s. He retired as a NASA research pilot in September 2000.
Description
The NASA Dryden Flow Visualization Facility (FVF) was built in 1983 and is part of the Dryden Flight Research Center located at Edwards AFB, Edwards, California. The FVF is a convenient, inexpensive tool that provides a means by which complex flow fields can be observed. As the designs of advanced technology vehicles become more complex, water tunnels have become increasingly useful as a time- and cost-effective flow diagnostic tool. Since the start of its operation, the FVF's primary use has been to study highly complex 3-dimensional vortex flow on aircraft configurations. Because of the low Reynolds numbers obtainable in a water tunnel, it is best used to investigate flow regimes where the vortex flow is dominant over viscous flow effects. Ideally, a water tunnel is best used in the infant stages of aircraft development. Potential problems can be identified and a variety of fixes may be implemented before a substantially more expensive wind tunnel model is built and tested. Flow visualization in a water tunnel, however, is useful at any stage of aircraft development. Observation of the flow is a good first step toward providing physical explanations for anomalies or phenomena discovered during wind tunnel or flight tests. Once the causes are understood, possible configuration modifications can easily be investigated. The Dryden FVF is a convenient and inexpensive tool that can provide a qualitative, and sometimes quantitative, description of complex fluid phenomena. As the designs of advanced technology vehicles become more complex, water tunnels have become increasingly useful as a flow diagnostic tool. The visualization and interpretation of complicated fluid motions around isolated vehicle components and complete configurations in a time- and cost-effective manner can be key elements in the development of flow control concepts.
Description
ISS009-E-09985 (3 June 2004) --- The Ebro River Delta, located along the eastern coast of Spain, is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 9 crewmember on the International Space Station (ISS). Taken in partial sun glint, this view defines the Ebro?s fresh water lens? the water density boundary between the upper layer of fresh water issuing from the Ebro River mouth and the saltier, denser Mediterranean Sea water. According to NASA geologists studying the ISS imagery, diversion and impoundment of the Ebro River upstream has led to a decrease in water and sediment delivery to the delta. This decrease has led to increased erosion in some areas to the northeast of El Fangar Bay and along the southwestern shoreline of the delta. The Ebro River Delta is one of the largest wetland areas in the western Mediterranean region. The Ebro delta has grown rapidly?the historical rate of growth of the delta is demonstrated by the city of Amposta. This city was a seaport in the 4th Century, and is now located well inland from the current Ebro river mouth. The rounded form of the delta attests to the balance between sediment deposition by the Ebro River and removal of this material by wave erosion. The modern delta is in intensive agricultural use for rice, fruit, and vegetables. White polygonal areas to the north and south of the Ebro River are paddy fields. The Ebro delta also hosts numerous beaches, marshes, and saltpans that provide habitat for over 300 species of birds. A large part of the delta was designated as Parc Natural del Delta de l'Ebre (Ebre Delta National Park) in 1983. A network of canals and irrigation ditches constructed by both agricultural and conservation groups are helping to maintain the ecologic and economic resources of the Ebro Delta.
Description
Ed Schneider, (left), is the project pilot for the F-18 High Angle of Attack program at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. He has been a NASA research pilot at Dryden since 1983. In addition to his assignment with the F-18 High Angle of Attack program, Schneider is a project pilot for the F-15B aeronautical research aircraft, the NASA NB-52B launch aircraft, and the SR-71 "Blackbird" aircraft. He is a Fellow and was the 1994 President of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots. In 1996 he was awarded the NASA Exceptional Service Medal. Schneider is seen here with Fitzhugh L. Fulton Jr., (right), who was a civilian research pilot at Dryden. from August 1, 1966, until July 3, 1986, following 23 years of service as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Fulton was the project pilot on all early tests of the 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) used to air launch the Space Shuttle prototype Enterprise in the Approach and Landing Tests (ALT) at Dryden in l977. For his work in the ALT program, Fulton received NASA's Exceptional Service Medal. He also received the Exceptional Service Medal again in 1983 for flying the 747 SCA during the European tour of the Space Shuttle Enterprise. During his career at Dryden, Fulton was project pilot on NASA's NB-52B launch aircraft used to air launch a variety of piloted and unpiloted research aircraft, including the X-15s and lifting bodies. He flew the XB-70 prototype supersonic bomber on both NASA-USAF tests and NASA research flights during the late 1960s, attaining speeds exceeding Mach 3. He was also a project pilot on the YF-12A and YF-12C research program from April 14, 1969, until September 25, 1978. The F/A-18 Hornet seen behind them is used primarily as a safety chase and support aircraft at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif. As support aircraft, the F-18's are used for safety chase, pilot proficiency and aerial photography. As a safety chase aircraft, F-18's, flown by research pilots, accompany research missions as another ?set of eyes? to visually observe the research event, experiment or test to help make sure the flights are carried out safely. The ?chase? pilots are in constant communication with the research pilots and mission control to report abnormalities that may be seen from the support aircraft. Pilots must also stay proficient by flying a certain number of missions per month. F-18's are used for this. A two-seat support aircraft is also used when research missions require an engineer or photographer on the flights.
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