Flight control system mode transitions influence on handling qualities and task performance

1994 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 1037-1042
Author(s):  
Lloyd D. Reid ◽  
Pavan Rajagopal ◽  
Wolf O. Graf
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Task Performance ◽  
Flight Control ◽  
Flight Control System ◽  
Handling Qualities ◽  
Mode Transitions ◽  
System Mode ◽  
And Task

Wavelet analysis of pilot workload in helicopter low-level flying tasks

1999 ◽  
Vol 103 (1019) ◽  
pp. 55-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. G. Jones ◽  
G. D. Padfield ◽  
M. T. Charlton
Keyword(s):  
Wavelet Analysis ◽  
Task Performance ◽  
Flight Control ◽  
Task Difficulty ◽  
Flight Control System ◽  
Control Activity ◽  
Handling Qualities ◽  
Discrete Wavelets ◽  
Extract Information ◽  
And Task

Abstract As part of a programme of research to improve mission effectiveness by studying pilot workload and task performance in mission-oriented flight tasks, a methodology has been developed in which wavelet analysis is used to extract information from records of vehicle response and of pilot control activity. By decomposing the records into discrete wavelets, components of vehicle agility and pilot workload are derived in the form of wavelet-based ‘quickness’ parameters for vehicle agility and so-called ‘attack’ parameters for pilot workload. It is shown how individual wavelet components in the records of pilot control activity, referred to as ‘worklets', can be associated with the sub-tasks of ‘guidance’ and ‘stabilisation'. It is demonstrated how these concepts can be applied to quantify changes in pilot control activity associated with increasing task difficulty or changes in aircraft handling qualities. Two examples are presented, one from a flight trial in which the task difficulty was increased by changes in a prescribed ground track and the other from a simulation trial in which an increased time delay was introduced into the response of the flight control system.

scholarly journals Sliding Mode Implementation of an Attitude Command Flight Control System for a Helicopter in Hover

10.14311/748 ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. McGeoch ◽  
E. W. McGookin ◽  
S. S. Houston
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Flight Control ◽  
Sliding Mode ◽  
Flight Control System ◽  
Design Standards ◽  
Handling Qualities ◽  
Control Scheme ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
Order Representation ◽  
Control Implementation

This paper presents an investigation into the design of a flight control system, using a decoupled non-linear sliding mode control structure, designed using a linearised, 9th order representation of the dynamics of a PUMA helicopter in hover. The controllers are then tested upon a higher order, non-linear helicopter model, called RASCAL. This design approach is used for attitude command flight control implementation and the control performance is assessed in the terms of handling qualities through the Aeronautical Design Standards for Rotorcraft (ADS-33). In this context a linearised approximation of the helicopter system is used to design an SMC control scheme. These controllers have been found to yield a system that satisfies the Level 1 handling qualities set out by ADS-33. 

Flight Simulator as a Tool for Flight Control System Synthesis and Handling Qualities Research

2009 ◽  
Vol 147-149 ◽  
pp. 231-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomasz Rogalski ◽  
Andrzej Tomczyk ◽  
Grzegorz Kopecki
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Control Systems ◽  
Flight Control ◽  
Flight Simulator ◽  
Flight Control System ◽  
Aircraft Control ◽  
Flight Testing ◽  
Flight Tests ◽  
Control Laws ◽  
Handling Qualities

At the Department of Avionics and Control Systems problems of aeronautical control systems have been dealt with for years. Several different kinds of aeronautical control systems have been designed, prototyped and tested. These control systems are intended for general aviation aircraft and unmanned aircraft. During all research projects computer simulations and laboratory tests were made. However, since in some cases such tests were insufficient, in-flight tests were conducted leading to a series of reliable results. The in-flight tests were made with the use of M-20 Mewa aircraft (autopilot for a GA aircraft) and PZL-110 Koliber aircraft (control system for UAV and indirect flight control system for a GA aircraft). Nevertheless, in-flight testing is very expensive and problematic. To avoid some problems appearing during in-flight tests and their preparation, a simulator – which is normally used for professional pilot training – can be used. The Aviation Training Center of the Rzeszów University of Technology possesses the ALSIM AL-200 MCC flight simulator. We have started preparing this simulator for the research. It is possible to control the simulated aircraft with the use of an external control system. The solution proposed enables testing the aircraft control algorithms, indirect control laws (e.g. control laws modifying handling qualities), as well as testing and assessment of the students’ pilotage skills. Moreover, the solution makes it possible to conduct tests connected with aircraft control, crew management, crew cooperation and flight safety. The simulator allows us to test dangerous situations, which – because of safety reasons – is impossible during in-flight testing. This paper presents modifications to the simulator’s hardware and additional software, which enable the described research.

The design of fly-by-wire flight control systems

2001 ◽  
Vol 105 (1051) ◽  
pp. 543-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Fielding
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Control Systems ◽  
Flight Control ◽  
Data Systems ◽  
Flight Control System ◽  
Control Laws ◽  
Handling Qualities ◽  
Future Developments ◽  
Control Computer ◽  
Actuation Systems

The design of an advanced flight control system (FCS) is a technically challenging task for which a range of engineering disciplines have to align their skills and efforts in order to achieve a successful system design. This paper presents an overview of some of the factors which need to be considered and is intended to serve as an introduction to this stimulating subject. Specific aspects covered are: flight dynamics and handling qualities, mechanical and fly-by-wire systems, control laws and air data systems, stores carriage, actuation systems, flight control computer implementation, flexible airframe dynamics, and ground and flight testing. The flight control system challenges and expected future developments are reviewed and a comprehensive set of references is provided for further reading.

Design, Flight Simulation, and Handling Qualities Evaluation of an LPV Gain-Scheduled Helicopter Flight Control System

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 553-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Postlethwaite ◽  
Ioannis K. Konstantopoulos ◽  
Xiao-Dong Sun ◽  
Daniel J. Walker ◽  
Adrian G. Alford
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Flight Control ◽  
Flight Simulation ◽  
Flight Control System ◽  
Handling Qualities ◽  
Helicopter Flight ◽  
Gain Scheduled

Design and Flight Test of a Cable Angle Feedback Flight Control System for the RASCAL JUH-60 Helicopter

2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina M. Ivler ◽  
J. David Powell ◽  
Mark B. Tischler ◽  
Jay W. Fletcher ◽  
Carl Ott
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Flight Control ◽  
Flight Test ◽  
Feedback System ◽  
Military Operations ◽  
Flight Control System ◽  
Handling Qualities ◽  
Maneuvering Flight ◽  
Rate Feedback ◽  
Tailored Approach

The ability of a helicopter to carry externally slung loads makes it very versatile for many civil and military operations. However, the piloted handling qualities of the helicopter are degraded by the presence of the slung load. A control system is developed that uses measurements of the slung load motions as well as conventional fuselage feedback to improve the handling qualities for hover/low-speed operations. Prior research has shown a fundamental trade-off between load damping and piloted handling qualities for a feedback control system with cable angle/rate feedback. A new task-tailored approach proposed and implemented herein uses a method of switching between a load damping mode and a piloted handling qualities mode. These modes provide appropriate load feedback depending on the piloting task and flight regime. This provides improved handling qualities for maneuvering flight and for improved precision load control at hover. A new mission task element for precision load placement is developed (for possible inclusion into ADS-33E-PRF) to test the ability of the cable feedback system to improve load placement task performance. The improvements provided by this control system are demonstrated in a piloted flight test on the JUH-60A RASCAL fly-by-wire helicopter. The average load set-down time was reduced by a factor of two for the 1000-lb load on a 56-ft sling.

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