Rubber on the Runway – The Aircraft Dynamic Loads Facility
Robert Doggett, Jr. & Thomas Yager
Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. at the Virginia Air and Space Center in downtown Hampton, Virginia
Abstract
Come hear the “inside story” of the one-of-a-kind Aircraft Dynamic Loads Facility. Learn how it was conceived, designed, and built in the late 40’s and early 50’s, and listen to stories of the many activities and tests aimed at improving not only aircraft ground handling performance but also control of ground vehicles. These activities included aircraft landing gear tests, developing special friction measuring vehicles, better understanding of tire hydroplaning, joint programs involving specially instrumented aircraft, the 15-year annual Tire/Runway Friction Workshop at NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Space Shuttle landing gear and runway surface evaluations, and support of aircraft accident investigations.
Speakers
Robert V. (Bob) Doggett, Jr. began his combined NACA/NASA career in 1957 following his graduation from Randolph-Macon College. He was assigned to the Dynamic Loads Division where he embarked on an almost thirty-eight year career at Langley working in structural dynamics with an emphasis on aeroelasticity. He authored more than fifty technical papers and is co-holder of two patents on divergence testing. He received a number of awards including the NASA Exceptional Service Medal.
Thomas J. Yager earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering science from the University of Portland in 1963, two weeks prior to starting work at NASA Langley. His NASA career involved many evaluations of aircraft landing gear systems at the Aircraft Landing Dynamics Facility and a variety of instrumented aircraft ground handling performance studies. He authored or co-authored over 150 technical reports, articles, and presentations, and supported over 40 aircraft accident investigations. He received a number of awards including the NASA Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal.
Although retired, both Bob & Tom remain connected to NASA Langley as Distinguished Research Associates.