The stability of a body towed by a light wire

Abstract

Summary.-Introductory (Purpose of Investigation.)-Owing to the practice of towing instruments belovv an aeroplane, the conditions for the stability of a towed body required investigation. Range of investigation.-The stability of a body towed by a light inextensible wire has been investigated on certain simplifying assumptions regarding the force experienced by the wire. Conclusions.-:-In addition to the pitching and yawing oscillations of the body there are three oscillations of the whole system. The most important oscillation is associated with a bowing of the wire in the plane of symmetry, and, even if the body has satisfactory statical stability, this oscillation may become unstable if the body is too short or if the drag of the body is low compared with that of the wire.