USAF Stability and Control DATCOM The United States Air Force Stability and Control DATCOM is a collection , correlation , codification , and recording of best knowledge , opinion , and judgment in the area of aerodynamic stability and control prediction methods . It presents substantiated techniques for use ( 1 ) early in the design or concept study phase , ( 2 ) to evaluate changes resulting from proposed engineering fixes , and ( 3 ) as a training on crosstraining aid . It bridges the gap between theory and practice by including a combination of pertinent discussion and proven practical methods . For any given configuration and flight condition , a complete set of stability and control derivatives can be determined without resort to outside information . A spectrum of methods is presented , ranging from very simple and easily applied techniques to quite accurate and thorough procedures . Comparatively simple methods are presented in complete form , while the more complex methods are often handled by reference to separate treatments . Tables which compare calculated results with test data provide indications of method accuracy . Extensive references to related material are also included . The report was compiled from September 1975 to September 1977 by the McDonnell Douglas Corporation in conjunction with the engineers at the Flight Dynamics Laboratory at Wright - Patterson Air Force Base . Methodology . Fundamentally , the purpose of the DATCOM ( Data Compendium ) , is to provide a systematic summary of methods for estimating basic stability and control derivatives . The DATCOM is organized in such a way that it is self - sufficient . For any given flight condition and configuration the complete set of derivatives can be determined without resort to outside information . The book is intended to be used for preliminary design purposes before the acquisition of test data . The use of reliable test data in lieu of the DATCOM is always recommended . However , there are many cases where the DATCOM can be used to advantage in conjunction with test data . For instance , if the lift - curve slope of a wing - body combination is desired , the DATCOM recommends that the lift - curve slopes of the isolated wing and body , respectively , be estimated by methods presented and that appropriate wing - body interference factors ( also presented ) be applied . If wing - alone test data are available , it is obvious that these test data should be substituted in place of the estimated wing - alone characteristics in determining the lift - curve slope of the combination . Also , if test data are available on a configuration similar to a given configuration , the characteristics of the similar configuration can be corrected to those for the given configuration by judiciously using the DATCOM material . Sections . The DATCOM Manual is divided into 9 sections : Implementation . Many textbooks utilized in universities implement the DATCOM method of stability and control . Shortly before compilation of the DATCOM was completed , a computerized version called Digital DATCOM was created . The USAF S & C Digital DATCOM implements the DATCOM methods in an easy to use manner .