NACA Contributions

A brief overview of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.

The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) was established in 1915 with the intention "to supervise and direct the scientific study of the problems of flight with a view to their practical solution” (Dunbar, 1995, “Research Midwife - A New Approach to Aeronautical Research”). Brian Dunbar (1995) explains how The NACA had mainly focused on broad aeronautical research until the United States declared its presence in World War II.

The NACA’s quickly shifted from researching broad subjects to researching, experimenting, and developing the aerodynamic designs and safety of planes that would benefit the military and ultimately the Allies during the war.

Brian Dunbar (1995) mentions how The NACA worked to improve the drag resistance of aircraft airfoils, which would produce faster and longer-range aircraft. They developed the concept design of the low-wing aircraft, which would eventually go on to be used as the blueprint for successful military aircraft. They developed heated de-icing systems for aircraft which would help prevent the risk of ice forming on wings.

Icing can be especially dangerous to pilots because if severe enough, it can result in the loss of lift and put an aircraft and pilot in imminent danger. Methods of troubleshooting were improved and modernized in aircraft to help efficiently and effectively detect and fix a problem before it puts the pilot and aircraft in danger in flight. The methods developed by the NACA were helpful to engine manufacturers because they would decrease the chance of any technical problems or engine problems like combustion before they could occur midair. Aircraft stability and control qualities were improved through numerous experiments involving the use of flaps which would aid pilots if they ever were to enter a steep dive or a spin and needed to recover quickly and safely. They also conducted experiments on water impacts so that the chances of survival were increased if an aircraft were to ever crash into the ocean. Finally, the NACA helped modify and improve the design of the seaplane.

References

Dunbar, B. (1995, July). Wwii & naca: US aviation research helped speed victory. NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/centers/langley/news/factsheets/WWII.html