Real Time Simulators for Use in Design of Integrated Flight and Propulsion Control Systems

Abstract

The introduction of Full Authority Digital Electronic Controls (FADEC) to both commercial and military aircraft gas turbine engines provides significant operational benefits. FADEC’s are reliable and more maintainable than the hydromechanical controls they have replaced. The next significant change in their use will be integration with the flight control, particularly in military applications, to provide reduced fuel consumption in cruise and rapid, accurate engine transients for increased maneuverability. Integration with the flight control system requires another level of control system testing beyond verification that the FADEC will perform it’s principle functions-control and protection of the engine. This new testing requires that the FADEC be tested in unison with the flight control to verify total control system capability and safety throughout the flight envelope. These testing requirements have been addressed at Pratt & Whitney and various airframers through application of the same simulation tools which have been in use to verify FADEC hardware and software capability prior to engine test. These test systems and their application to advanced integrated control systems are described herein to provide insight into both their operation and application.