Aeroplane Spin Motion PhD

[djpil]

I came across this PhD thesis today: “The Aeroplane Spin Motion and an Investigation into Factors Affecting the Aeroplane Spin” by R H Hoff. It has lots of excellent data - old and new! https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/10537

[glideher]

fascination theory,,my question is is this spin recovery due to loss of rudder yaw, loss of power, loss of what exactly? stall?
what was the outcome of this thesis.

[G0ULI]

Despite being dressed up with fancy language and diagrams, this thesis amounts to a statement of the blooming obvious; stalls and spins are caused when laminar flow over an aerodynamic lift surface becomes chaotic.

Since this process is chaotic, repeated experiments under the same conditions may well give significantly different results. That renders computer modelling an imprecise science with regard to prediction of stall spin characteristics. The best that can be achieved is a prediction of a range of conditions where stalls and spins are likely to occur. Actual testing in full sized models will still require a test pilot and/or remote piloting from the ground.

Where this thesis does shine is in pointing out how minor changes to aerodynamic and other surfaces of an aircraft skin can have dramatic effects on performance and stall spin characteristics. Test pilots will still have a job in years to come although some of the more obvious risks could be reduced.

[giggitygiggity]

What I don't get is why/how this was submitted and subsequently awarded "for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy"?

[PDR1]

Because all doctorates are "doctor of Philosophy" regardless of the subject matter - it's just the academic tradition in the same way that technically all bachelor degrees used to be either degrees of liberal arts or degrees of sciences. It mainly derives from the historic practice of referring to any detailed study as "a philosophy". People like Galileo and Michelangelo refered to themselves as "philosophers".

PDR

[Genghis the Engineer]

Actually all research degrees - where the candidate primarily does original research and presents a thesis are "of philosophy".

There are also lower standard Mphils, and largely taught Engineering Doctorates, Medical Doctorates, Educational Doctorates (EngD, MD, Ed.D...)

But an aerospace engineering research doctorate should indeed always be a PhD.

G