Identification of gyroplane lateral/directional stability and control characteristics from flight test

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of test data recorded during flight trials of a gyroplane. This class of rotary-wing aircraft has found limited application in areas other than sport or recreational flying. However, the accident rate is such that a study of the configuration's stability and control characteristics is timely, and in addition substantive data are required for a new airworthiness and design standard that is under development. The paper complements previous work on the longitudinal degrees of freedom and, as a consequence, serves to consolidate the understanding of gyroplane stability and control. The identified derivatives are related to specific aspects of the layout of the gyroplane, and hence the influence of design on the static and dynamic behaviour is quantified. It is concluded that robust estimates of the lateral and directional stability and control derivatives have been identified. This analysis has focused on ‘high-speed’ flight, and the identified derivatives highlight benign and ‘conventional’ characteristics in this part of the flight envelope.