RICHARD RIPLEY TRACY
Pilots at Old Rnch Rd, Carson City, NV

License number
Nevada A1925156
Category
Airmen
Type
Authorized Aircraft Instructor
Address
Address
3000 Old Ranch Rd, Carson City, NV 89704

Professional information

Richard Tracy Photo 1

High-Efficiency, Supersonic Aircraft

US Patent:
5897076, Apr 27, 1999
Filed:
May 20, 1996
Appl. No.:
8/650686
Inventors:
Richard R. Tracy - Carson City NV
International Classification:
B64C 0344, B64C 0354, B64C 0350
US Classification:
244117A
Abstract:
A supersonic flight aircraft having a longitudinally forwardly extending fuselage having an axis in the direction of flight, and a wing, and which comprises the wing extending generally laterally relative to the axis, and having a leading edge angled forward or rearwardly relative to a normal to the axis at an angle , and the wing having leading edge sharpness defined by upper and lower wing surfaces, which taper toward the leading edge to define an angle. delta. , closely proximate the leading edge at all spanwise locations; the angle and sharpness. delta. characterized in that at design supersonic cruise flight conditions, the wing has an attached shock, that is, the forwardmost shock wave produced in association with the wing extends generally along or rearwardly of the leading edge, whereby laminar boundary layer conditions are maintained over the leading edge and adjacent the surface of the wing; there being flap means associated with the wing leading edge that comprises upper and lower leading edge skins capable of being controllably expanded chordwise, a structure between the skins, which permits the chordwise expansion of the skins, and means for causing relatively greater chordwise expansion of the upper skin than the lower skin, to generate downward defection of the leading edge.


Richard Tracy Photo 2

Aircraft Wing And Fuselage Contours

US Patent:
6149101, Nov 21, 2000
Filed:
Mar 17, 1999
Appl. No.:
9/270524
Inventors:
Richard R. Tracy - Carson City NV
International Classification:
B64C 138
US Classification:
244130
Abstract:
A wing in combination with a fuselage having a body which is elongated in the direction of flight, the wing having physical parameters [comprising a wing having a relatively unswept and sharp leading edge, smooth convex chordwise contour over a majority of its surface from the leading edge, and a thickness to chord ratio of about 2% or less as a spanwise average, beyond a spanwise distance from the fuselage centerline of not more than about C/2. beta. on each side of the body, where. beta. =. sqroot. M. sup. 2 -1, M=cruise Mach number, C=wing chord at centerline, and wherein the thickness to chord ratio over the above referenced spanwise distance is increased substantially over 2%,] to benefit strength, stiffness, weight, interior volume, and laminar boundary layer stability, and limited only by the extent to which the increase in volume drag which would otherwise occur is substantially eliminated by the body having indentation proximate the wing, the wing thickening and body indentation being characterized by one of the following: a) selection of a wing planform airfoil and thickness distribution, the fuselage then indented to minimize or reduce the combined volume wave drag, or optimize a design figure of merit, b) selection of a fuselage longitudinal distribution of cross section areas, the wing thickness then distributed spanwise so as to reduce the combined volume wave drag, or optimize a design figure of merit, c) reduction of drag, or optimization of other figure of merit such as weight or cost, in accordance with variation in both the fuselage longitudinal distribution of cross section area and wing planform airfoil and spanwise thickness distribution.


Richard Tracy Photo 3

High Efficiency, Supersonic Aircraft

US Patent:
5322242, Jun 21, 1994
Filed:
Feb 3, 1993
Appl. No.:
8/013065
Inventors:
Richard R. Tracy - Carson City NV
International Classification:
B64C 338, B64C 2100
US Classification:
244 36
Abstract:
A supersonic flight aircraft having a longitudinally forwardly extending axis in the direction of flight, and a wing, comprising a wing extending generally laterally relative to the axis, and having a leading edge angled forward or rearwardly relative to a normal to the axis at an angle. OMEGA. , and the wing having a maximum thickness t; the angle. OMEGA. and thickness t characterized that in that in supersonic flight conditions, the forwardmost shock wave produced in association with the wing extends generally along or rearwardly of the leading edge, whereby laminar airflow conditions are maintained over the leading edge and adjacent the surface of the wing.


Richard Tracy Photo 4

Laminar Flow Wing Optimized For Supersonic Cruise Aircraft

US Patent:
8272594, Sep 25, 2012
Filed:
Oct 26, 2009
Appl. No.:
12/589424
Inventors:
Richard R. Tracy - Carson City NV, US
Peter Sturdza - Atherton CA, US
James D. Chase - Reno NV, US
Assignee:
Aerion Corporation - Reno NV
International Classification:
B64C 3/38
US Classification:
244 36
Abstract:
A method of providing an aircraft having a fuselage and a wing configured for extensive laminar flow at design cruise conditions, the method characterized by a) providing wing biconvex-type airfoils having values of thickness, chord and shape along the wing span which provide substantially optimal aircraft range at design cruise conditions, considering the influences of wing drag and wing weight; b) providing wing leading edges, which are configured to effect laminar flow; c) providing fuselage and wing contours which, in combination, produce reduced total wave drag and produce extensive areas of laminar boundary layer flow on the wing; and d) providing wing sweep angularity that facilitates provision of a), b) and c).


Richard Tracy Photo 5

Laminar Flow Wing Optimized For Transonic Cruise Aircraft

US Patent:
8317128, Nov 27, 2012
Filed:
Feb 16, 2011
Appl. No.:
12/932091
Inventors:
Richard R. Tracy - Washoe Valley NV, US
James D. Chase - Reno NV, US
Assignee:
Aerion Corporation - Reno NV
International Classification:
B64C 3/14
US Classification:
244 35R
Abstract:
On an aircraft designed for maximum efficient cruise speed in the range from about Mach 0. 8 to about Mach 1. 2, and having fuselage and wings with: (a) less than about 25 degrees of leading edge sweep, in combination with airfoil thickness to chord ratios between about 3% and about 8%, as an average along the wing semi-span outboard from the zone of substantial fuselage influence, and (b) wing leading edge sweep between about 20 degrees and about 35 degrees, in combination with airfoil thickness to chord ratios equal to or below about 3% as an average along the semi-span outboard from the zone of substantial fuselage influence to the wing tip.


Richard Tracy Photo 6

Lift And Twist Control Using Trailing Edge Control Surfaces On Supersonic Laminar Flow Wings

US Patent:
7004428, Feb 28, 2006
Filed:
Jan 20, 2004
Appl. No.:
10/762083
Inventors:
Richard R. Tracy - Carson City NV, US
James D. Chase - Reno NV, US
Assignee:
Aerion Corporation - Reno CA
International Classification:
B64C 9/06
US Classification:
244 35R
Abstract:
An aircraft includes a fuselage, thin supersonic wings on the fuselage, there being trailing edge flaps carried by the wings, the flaps configured to provide flap deflection to simultaneously control wing twist and to reduce drag, when the aircraft is operated at subsonic flight conditions.


Richard Tracy Photo 7

Laminar Flow Wing Optimized For Transonic Cruise Aircraft

US Patent:
8448893, May 28, 2013
Filed:
Jan 25, 2011
Appl. No.:
12/931060
Inventors:
Richard R. Tracy - Washoe Valley NV, US
James D. Chase - Reno NV, US
Assignee:
Aerion Corporation - Reno NV
International Classification:
B64C 29/00
US Classification:
244 23C, 244 35, 244 36
Abstract:
Aircraft configured to operate at Mach numbers from above 0. 80 and up to 1. 2 with wing sweep angles defined by the wing outboard leading edge of less than 35 degrees, and incorporating calculated values of the ratio of outboard wing panel aspect ratio raised to an exponent of 0. 78, divided by the ratio of maximum thickness divided by chord (t/c), greater than about 45, characterized by one of the following: a) where maximum thickness divided by chord (t/c) is at a location approximately 70% of the distance outboard from the attaching aircraft body to the wing tip, or b) where maximum thickness divided by chord (t/c) is the average value of (t/c)'s located between approximately 50% of the distance outboard from the attaching aircraft body to the wing tip.


Richard Tracy Photo 8

Highly Swept Canard With Low Sweep Wing Supersonic Aircraft Configuration

US Patent:
6857599, Feb 22, 2005
Filed:
Dec 23, 2003
Appl. No.:
10/746744
Inventors:
Richard R. Tracy - Carson City NV, US
James D. Chase - Reno NV, US
Ilan Kroo - Stanford CA, US
Assignee:
Aerion Corporation - Reno NV
International Classification:
B64C001/00
US Classification:
244 45A
Abstract:
An aircraft, comprising a fuselage having an elongated, narrow forward portion, a main wing carried by a rear portion of the fuselage, a canard wing carried by said fuselage forward portion and having swept back leading and trailing edges tapering toward a tip or tips, the canard wing having less lifting surface than the main wing.


Richard Tracy Photo 9

High-Efficiency, Supersonic Aircraft

US Patent:
5518204, May 21, 1996
Filed:
Jun 13, 1994
Appl. No.:
8/258781
Inventors:
Richard R. Tracy - Carson City NV
International Classification:
B64C 100, B64C 310, B64C 336
US Classification:
244 36
Abstract:
A supersonic flight aircraft having a longitudinally forwardly extending axis in the direction of flight, and a wing, comprising a wing extending generally laterally relative to the axis, and having a leading edge angled forward or rearwardly relative to a normal to the axis at an angle. lambda. , and the wing having a maximum thickness t; the angle. lambda. and thickness t characterized that in that in supersonic flight conditions, the forwardmost shock wave produced in association with the wing extends generally along or rearwardly of the leading edge, whereby laminar airflow conditions are maintained over the leading edge and adjacent the surface of the wing.


Richard Tracy Photo 10

Laminar Flow Wing For Transonic Cruise

US Patent:
7000870, Feb 21, 2006
Filed:
Oct 23, 2003
Appl. No.:
10/693411
Inventors:
Richard R. Tracy - Carson City NV, US
James D. Chase - Reno NV, US
Ilan Kroo - Stanford CA, US
Assignee:
Aerion Corporation - Reno NV
International Classification:
B64C 1/38
US Classification:
244130, 244 35 A, 244204
Abstract:
In combination, an aircraft wing and fuselage, comprising the wing having camber at or near the wing leading edge which has blunted sharpness and low sweep angle, and the fuselage having indentation along the wing side thereof, and lengthwise of the fuselage.