The longitudinal flying qualities of a blended-wing-body civil transport aircraft

Abstract

AbstractThis paper describes an evaluation of the longitudinal flying qualities of a generic blended-wing-body (BWB) transport aircraft at low speed flight conditions. Aerodynamic data was obtained from several sources and integrated into the equations of motion of a typical BWB configuration in order to provide a reasonable basis for flying qualities assessment. The control requirements to trim are enumerated for a representative range of cg position and static margin over the typical range of approach speeds for both stable and unstable configurations. The linear dynamic characteristics of the unaugmented airframe are also described for the same range of stability margin. Subsequent work describes the development of a rate command-attitude hold command and stability augmentation system configured to comply with representative modern handling criteria. Finally, the flight dynamics of the augmented aircraft are described after refinement of the control law by means of piloted simulation in a fixed base flight simulator.