Arena, Andrew S.Quisenberry, Johnny Earl J., Jr.2014-04-172014-04-172005-07-01http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14446/10031The goal of this paper is to produce a mathematical simulation of the aerial tow system with emphasis on low altitude tracking. The aerial tow system consists of a host aircraft which tows a smaller aircraft via cable. The system components are modeled and a method for deriving the system equations of motion in two and three-dimensional space is presented. The implementation of the system equations of motion in conjunction with a numerical solver results in the development of system simulation. The simulation is used as a tool to inspect various flight cases to better understand the nuances of the complex system.application/pdfCopyright is held by the author who has granted the Oklahoma State University Library the non-exclusive right to share this material in its institutional repository. Contact Digital Library Services at lib-dls@okstate.edu or 405-744-9161 for the permission policy on the use, reproduction or distribution of this material.text