An Analysis of Lateral-Directional Handling Qualities and Eigenstructure of High Performance Aircraft.

Abstract

This thesis examines the relationship between an aircraft's lateral-directional handling qualities and its corresponding eigenstructure. Intuition and simple methematical models were used to develop desirable eigenvectors. For conventional aircraft, the dutch roll eigenvector was shown to a function of the roll to sideslip (phi/beta) ratio. Flight control laws to produce the desired eigenstructures were derived using eigenstructure assignment with output feedback. The control laws were based on a twelfth order linear model of the lateral-directional dynamics of the YA-7D DIGITAC, and varied the dutch roll phi/beta ratio. The handling qualities of the YA-7D were examined. The flight testing consisted of both open loop tasks, and closed loop tasks in which Cooper-Harper ratings were assigned.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA194874

Entities

People

  • Michael J. Costigan

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • C4I
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Aircrafts
  • Beta Testing
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Control Systems
  • Data Acquisition
  • Differential Equations
  • Eigenvalues
  • Engineering
  • Equations
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Flight Testing
  • Measurement
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Test Methods

Readers

  • Aviation Science / Aeronautics.
  • Control Systems Engineering.