Flight Dynamics Research Facility Characteristics

The Flight Dynamics Research Facility (FDRF) is a large, subsonic wind tunnel with a vertical test section used for flight dynamics research, including stability, controllability, free-fall, aircraft spin and spin-recovery testing of atmospheric vehicles.

The test section measures 20 ft. in diameter by 24 ft. high. Airflow speed ranges from 0–172 ft/s (0–117 mph), dynamic pressure from 0–35 psf, and Reynolds number from 0–1.10×10^6 per ft.

The tunnel operates at atmospheric pressure, uses air as the test gas, and is actively cooled to 79° F; the facility stands 131 ft. tall.

flight dynamics, research facility, wind tunnel, subsonic, test section, stability, controllability, aircraft spin, spin recovery, reynolds number