Thrust Vectoring Flight Control To Maximize Future Jet Transport Flight Safety

Abstract

At the end of the first 100 years of conventional, Aerodynamic Flight Control [AFC] based aviation, we now arrive at the gate of a much safer flight control methodologies and technologies, It is indeed the beginning of a new era in aviation - an era marked by complete roll-yaw-pitch Thrust Vectoring Flight Control [TVFC] that is almost free from the dangerous characteristics of AFC. TVFC becomes highly effective in the 'impossible-to-fly' post-stall domain and In the conventional domain, it is stall/spin-free and is to advance air transportation into a much safer era. Fighters, trainers, private, biz and airline transport jets will be vectored in the near future. By using rapid engine-nozzle jet deflections they would all maintain much safer flight control when AFC fails. And it can indeed prevent most air-flight catastrophes. Since 1987 our Jet Laboratory has demonstrated, for the first time In aviation history, the ability of yaw-pitch-roll TVFC In the deep post-stall domain and the ability to civilize military TVFC to provide safe, stall/spin-free and AFC-free flight. This paper is to stress that much of this new experience is to cause significant re-assessment of pilot and academic education In the near term