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Greetings From the DNW --
by Larry Young
May 6, 1998
Greetings from the DNW (Duits-Nederlandse Windtunnel)
in The Netherlands (also known as Holland). The DNW is a German- and Dutch-owned
and operated wind tunnel. The DNW wind tunnel is particularly well suited
for aeroacoustic research for various types of vehicles such as automobiles,
airplanes and rotorcraft.
NASA, U.S. Army and Boeing researchers are currently
at the DNW wind tunnel studying the aerodynamics and acoustics of a 1/4-scale
V-22 Osprey tiltrotor proprotor. This proprotor is being tested on the
isolated rotor configuration of the Tilt Rotor Aeroacoustic Model (TRAM).
This is the third week of a four-week test entry. This is the second time
the TRAM test stand has been tested in the DNW. Earlier, preliminary testing
occurred in December, 1997.
The information from this test will be used to help
develop a new generation of quieter and more efficient tiltrotor aircraft.
Tiltrotor aircraft are of great research interest to NASA. They have possible
civilian as well as military applications. Data from the DNW tests will
be used in conjunction with data from future tests in the National Full-Scale
Aerodynamics Complex at NASA Ames Research Center to aid in the development
of these quieter tiltrotors.
Right now the TRAM test team is working long hours
trying to acquire all the data needed to meet the test objectives and
make the test a success. The data being acquired is one of a kind information.
Gigabytes of data are being measured and stored for future study. The
two key challenges of any rotorcraft test team are, first, keeping the
model 'healthy' and operational and, second, reviewing and evaluating
the quality and comprehensiveness of the test data being measured.
On a more personal note, Holland is a beautiful country
in the spring time. Holland is located adjacent to Belgium and Germany
in Western Europe. Holland is famous for its tulips, wind mills, canals
and dikes that protect it from the sea. Whether it's exploring the countryside
or its largest and best known city, Amsterdam, Holland is a great place
to visit (or, more correctly in the case of the TRAM test team, work in).
Tot Straks!! ('See you later' in the Dutch language)
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