Detection of Pilot-Induced Oscillation (PIO)

Abstract

Since PIOs cannot be prevented, they will continue to occur, and methods are needed to mitigate the risk of catastrophic PIO. This paper discusses the challenges to detection of PIO in real-time. It describes the design of a method for the real-time detection of PIO that can be used to alert the flight crew in the early stage of a PIO, before the event has become catastrophic. With early warning, it is possible that loss of aircraft can be prevented through appropriate pilot response. Real Time Detection of a Pilot-Induced Oscillation (PIO) can potentially save both aircrew and aircraft. The method is effective at identifying any oscillatory behavior in real-time,Although limitations of the algorithm do exist, ROVER, if used correctly, will detect a severe PIO event and could allow a pilot to open the feedback control loop or adjust the control input strategy in order to suppress the aircraft oscillatory response.