Insect flight dynamics: Stability and control

2014 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 615-646 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mao Sun
Keyword(s):  
Insect Flight ◽  
Flight Dynamics ◽  
Stability And Control ◽  
And Control ◽  
Dynamics Stability

scholarly journals Flight Dynamics, Stability and Control of a Flexible Airplane

2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (AEROSPACE SCIENCES) ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
A. Khalil ◽  
M. ElNomrossy ◽  
G. Elbayoumi ◽  
M. Bayoumi
Keyword(s):  
Flight Dynamics ◽  
Stability And Control ◽  
And Control ◽  
Dynamics Stability

Modelling the flight dynamics of the hang glider

2005 ◽  
Vol 109 (1102) ◽  
pp. I-XX ◽  
Author(s):  
M. V. Cook ◽  
M. Spottiswoode
Keyword(s):  
Complex Geometry ◽  
Equations Of Motion ◽  
Linear Equations ◽  
Flight Dynamics ◽  
Control Analysis ◽  
Stability Margins ◽  
Stability And Control ◽  
Centre Of Gravity ◽  
Weight Shift ◽  
And Control

AbstractThe development of the non-linear equations of motion for the hang glider from first principles is described, including the complex geometry of control by pilot ‘weight shift’. By making appropriate assumptions the linearised small perturbation equations are derived for the purposes of stability and control analysis. The mathematical development shows that control is effected not by pilot weight shift, but by centre of gravity shift and that lateral-directional control by this means is weak, and is accompanied by significant instantaneous adverse response.The development of a comprehensive semi-empirical mathematical model of the flexible wing aerodynamics is described. In particular, the modelling attempts to quantify camber and twist dependencies. The performance of the model is shown to compare satisfactorily with measured hang glider wing data obtained in earlier full scale experiments. The mathematical aerodynamic model is then used to estimate the hang glider stability and control derivatives over the speed envelope for substitution into the linearised equations of motion.Solution of the equations of motion is illustrated and the flight dynamics of the typical hang glider are described. In particular, the dynamic stability properties are very similar to those of a conventional aeroplane, but the predicted lateral directional stability margins are significantly larger. The depth of mathematical modelling employed enables the differences to be explained satisfactorily. The unique control properties of the hang glider are described in some detail. Pitch and roll control of the hang glider is an aerodynamic phenomenon and results from the pilot adjusting his position relative to the wing in order to generate out of trim aerodynamic control moments about the centre of gravity. Maximum control moments are limited by hang glider geometry which is dependent on the length of the pilot‘s arm. The pilot does not generate control moments directly by shifting his weight relative to the wing. The modelling thus described would seem to give a plausible description of the flight dynamics of the hang glider.

scholarly journals Vision-based flight control in the hawkmoth Hyles lineata

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (91) ◽  
pp. 20130921 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shane P. Windsor ◽  
Richard J. Bomphrey ◽  
Graham K. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Flight Control ◽  
Insect Flight ◽  
Linear Time ◽  
Temporal Frequency ◽  
Sensory Modality ◽  
Flight Dynamics ◽  
Energetic Cost ◽  
Linear Time Invariant ◽  
Hyles Lineata ◽  
And Control

Vision is a key sensory modality for flying insects, playing an important role in guidance, navigation and control. Here, we use a virtual-reality flight simulator to measure the optomotor responses of the hawkmoth Hyles lineata , and use a published linear-time invariant model of the flight dynamics to interpret the function of the measured responses in flight stabilization and control. We recorded the forces and moments produced during oscillation of the visual field in roll, pitch and yaw, varying the temporal frequency, amplitude or spatial frequency of the stimulus. The moths’ responses were strongly dependent upon contrast frequency, as expected if the optomotor system uses correlation-type motion detectors to sense self-motion. The flight dynamics model predicts that roll angle feedback is needed to stabilize the lateral dynamics, and that a combination of pitch angle and pitch rate feedback is most effective in stabilizing the longitudinal dynamics. The moths’ responses to roll and pitch stimuli coincided qualitatively with these functional predictions. The moths produced coupled roll and yaw moments in response to yaw stimuli, which could help to reduce the energetic cost of correcting heading. Our results emphasize the close relationship between physics and physiology in the stabilization of insect flight.

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