Automatic Flight Control—Analysis and Synthesis of Lateral-Control Problem

Abstract

Abstract The author presents a method which is useful in the analysis and synthesis of the aircraft lateral-control problem. Consideration is given to establishing autopilot requirements necessary to accomplish fast, stable, and co-ordinated (zero sideslip) response. Charts are derived whereby responses of the controlled variables are plotted as a function of dimensionless time for systems represented by a second-order (e.g., simplified roll or simplified one-degree-of-freedom-yaw response), or by a third-order (e.g., simplified-co-ordinated directional control) linear-differential equation. Included is the derivation of a method for establishing autopilot requirements necessary for dynamic and steady-state co-ordination. The use of the analog computer in aiding the analysis and the effects of control lags are discussed briefly. Comparisons are made between aircraft responses calculated by means of the simplified equations, aircraft responses obtained from simulated flight recordings on the analog computer, and aircraft responses recorded during flight tests.