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Article
Publication date: 27 September 2018

Tomasz Rogalski

This paper aims to present the idea of an automatic control system dedicated to small manned and unmanned aircraft performing manoeuvres other than those necessary to perform a…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present the idea of an automatic control system dedicated to small manned and unmanned aircraft performing manoeuvres other than those necessary to perform a so-called standard flight. The character of these manoeuvres and the range of aircraft flight parameter changes restrict application of standard control algorithms. In many cases, they also limit the possibility to acquire complete information about aircraft flight parameters. This paper analyses an alternative solution that can be applied in such cases. The loop manoeuvre, an element of aerobatic flight, was selected as a working example.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper used theoretical discussion and breakdowns to create basics for designing structures of control algorithms. A simplified analytical approach was then applied to tune regulators. Research results were verified in a series of computer-based software-in-the-loop rig test computer simulations.

Findings

The structure of the control system enabling aerobatic flight was found and the method for tuning regulators was also created.

Practical implications

The findings could be a foundation for autopilots working in non-conventional flight scenarios and automatic aircraft recovery systems.

Originality/value

This paper presents the author’s original approach to aircraft automated control where high precision control is not the priority and flight parameters cannot be precisely measured or determined.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 90 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 March 2021

Tomasz Rogalski, Paweł Rzucidło, Stanisław Noga and Jacek Prusik

The purpose of this paper is to present the idea of automatic flight control algorithms capable of performing an Immelmann turn manoeuvre automatically. This is a case of a…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the idea of automatic flight control algorithms capable of performing an Immelmann turn manoeuvre automatically. This is a case of a manoeuvre far removed from so-called standard flight. The character of this manoeuvre and the range of changes in the aircraft flight parameters restrict the application of standard control algorithms. Furthermore, the possibility of acquiring full and detailed information about the aircraft’s flight parameters is limited in such cases. This paper seeks to analyse an alternative solution that can be applied in some specific cases.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses theoretical discussion and breakdowns to create the basics for development of structures of control algorithms. A simplified analytical approach was applied to tune regulators and the results of the research were verified in a series of software-in-the loop computer simulations.

Findings

The structure of the control system enabling aerobatic flight (with the Immelmann turn as the selected example) was identified and the method for tuning the regulators is also presented.

Practical implications

It could serve as a foundation for autopilots working in non-conventional flight states and aircraft automatic recovery systems.

Originality/value

This paper presents the author’s original approach to aircraft automatic control when high control precision is not the priority and not all flight parameters can be precisely measured.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 93 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 July 2020

Tomasz Rogalski, Paweł Rzucidło and Jacek Prusik

The paper aims to present an idea of automatic control algorithms dedicated to both small manned and unmanned aircraft, capable to perform spin maneuver automatically. This is a…

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to present an idea of automatic control algorithms dedicated to both small manned and unmanned aircraft, capable to perform spin maneuver automatically. This is a case of maneuver far away from so-called standard flight. The character of this maneuver and the range of aircraft flight parameters changes restrict application of standard control algorithms. Possibility of acquisition full information about aircraft flight parameters is limited as well in such cases. This paper analyses an alternative solution that can be applied in some specific cases.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses theoretical discussion and breakdowns to create basics for development of structures of control algorithms. Simplified analytical approach was applied to tune regulators. Results of research were verified in series of software-in-the loop, computer simulations.

Findings

The structure of the control system enabling aerobatic flight (spin flight as example selected) was found and the method how to tune regulators was presented as well.

Practical implications

It could be a fundament for autopilots working in non-conventional flight states and aircraft automatic recovery systems.

Originality/value

The paper presents author’s original approach to aircraft automatic control when high control precision is not the priority, and not all flight parameters can be precisely measured.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 92 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 1975

APPLIED Technology, Middle East and European marketing and technical support representative of PF Industries Inc, will exhibit ground support equipment supplied to airlines…

Abstract

APPLIED Technology, Middle East and European marketing and technical support representative of PF Industries Inc, will exhibit ground support equipment supplied to airlines worldwide.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 47 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Article
Publication date: 2 October 2018

Ewa Marcinkiewicz, Zdobyslaw Jan Goraj and Marcin Figat

The purpose of this paper is to describe an integrated approach to spin analysis based on 6-DOF (degrees of freedom) fully nonlinear equations of motion and a three-dimensional…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe an integrated approach to spin analysis based on 6-DOF (degrees of freedom) fully nonlinear equations of motion and a three-dimensional multigrid Euler method used to specify a flow model. Another purpose of this study is to investigate military trainer performance during a developed phase of a deliberately executed spin, and to predict an aircraft tendency while entering a spin and its response to control surface deflections needed for recovery.

Design/methodology/approach

To assess spin properties, the calculations of aerodynamic characteristics were performed through an angle-of-attack range of −30 degrees to +50 degrees and a sideslip-angle range of −30 degrees to +30 degrees. Then, dynamic equations of motion of a rigid aircraft together with aerodynamic loads being premised on stability derivatives concept were numerically integrated. Finally, the examination of light turboprop dynamic behaviour in post-stalling conditions was carried out.

Findings

The computational method used to evaluate spin was positively verified by comparing it with the experimental outcome. Moreover, the Euler code-based approach to lay down aerodynamics could be considered as reliable to provide high angles-of-attack characteristics. Conclusions incorporate the results of a comparative analysis focusing especially on comprehensive assessment of output data quality in relation to flight tests.

Originality/value

The conducted calculations take into account aerodynamic and flight dynamic interaction of an aerobatic-category turboprop in spin conditions. A number of manoeuvres considering different aircraft configurations were simulated. The computational outcomes were subsequently compared to the results of in-flight tests and the collected data were thoroughly analysed to draw final conclusions.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 91 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 1966

THE Farnborough 1966 Show was at first glance much the same mixture as before, but the second glance was the more revealing. The participation in the flying display of European…

Abstract

THE Farnborough 1966 Show was at first glance much the same mixture as before, but the second glance was the more revealing. The participation in the flying display of European aircraft by no means swamped the air, even if the Italian verve took the acrobatic honours, but the theme of collaboration with other countries was to be found on practically every stand inside the exhibition tent. It was obvious that the smaller firms not directly involved in production agreements with other nations were very export conscious. The pacemaker of all this collaboration was of course the Concorde, only to be seen in model form, but rapidly taking shape at Toulouse and Filton, and many of the equipment manufacturers had Concorde hardware on display. Beagle announced the Pup, Britten‐Norman produced the production Islander, and Handley Page showed the Jetstream mock‐up. After many years of neglect, the industry is now taking an interest in the general aviation market. The P.1127 (R.A.F.) made its first appearance. The paradox of the P.1127 is that it is almost a part of Farnborough history, yet there is no other V/S.T.O.L. aircraft in the world that has but a fraction of the operating experience it has gained. Farnborough this year gave the impression of being more a serious trade show, and less a public spectacle. Sir Richard Smeeton, Director of the Society of British Aerospace Companies, reported that the exhibiting firms had received more serious business enquiries this year than ever before, and he forecast that 1968 would be a vintage year, which would see the appearance of the HS.801, the Concorde and Jaguar in the Farnborough skies. It is not possible to cover every exhibit shown at the Farnborough Show, but the following report describes a wide cross‐section beginning with the exhibits of the major airframe and engine companies.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 38 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Article
Publication date: 1 October 1978

It was a good Farnborough Show … for those who went to see the flying displays and the weather was a great consolation. But it was an unusual Farnborough in some respects, first…

Abstract

It was a good Farnborough Show … for those who went to see the flying displays and the weather was a great consolation. But it was an unusual Farnborough in some respects, first because of the good weather and this does bear repetition, and it does make such a difference to setting up the Show to its progress through the week and to the mood of the people there.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 50 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Article
Publication date: 19 October 2010

Seongpil Kim, Agus Budiyono, Jang‐Ho Lee, DooHyun Kim and Kwang Joon Yoon

The purpose of this paper is to conduct the design, development and testing of a controller for an autonomous small‐scale helicopter.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conduct the design, development and testing of a controller for an autonomous small‐scale helicopter.

Design/methodology/approach

The hardware in the loop simulation (HILS) platform is developed based on the nonlinear model of JR Voyager G‐260 small‐scale helicopter. Autonomous controllers are verified using the HILS environment prior to flight experiments.

Findings

The gains of the multi‐loop cascaded control architecture can be effectively optimized within the HILS environment. Various autonomous flight operations are achieved and it is demonstrated that the prediction from the simulations is in a good agreement with the result from the flight test.

Research limitations/implications

The synthesized controller is effective for the particular test‐bed. For other small‐scale helicopters (with different size and engine specifications), the controller gains must be tuned again.

Practical implications

This work represents a practical control design and testing procedures for an autonomous small‐scale helicopter flight control. The autonomous helicopter can be used for various missions ranging from film making, agriculture and volcanic surveillance to power line inspection.

Originality/value

The research addresses the need for systematic design, development and testing of controller for a small‐scale autonomous helicopter by utilizing HILS environment.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 82 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 1984

A LONG‐AWAITED and hoped‐for recovery seems to be under way in the aircraft industry and a cautious welcome was given to this phenomenon at Farnborough. Soon after the close of…

Abstract

A LONG‐AWAITED and hoped‐for recovery seems to be under way in the aircraft industry and a cautious welcome was given to this phenomenon at Farnborough. Soon after the close of the Show came news of the sizeable Pan Am order for A310 and A320 aircraft with leasing arrangements for A300's and A310's to be implemented as soon as possible. The competitive atmosphere in the sphere of air transport has intensified even more between Boeing and Airbus because the wide range of types marketed by the former is now being challenged in many areas and in fact, Airbus is producing an aircraft that does not quite conform to anything produced by the American company. Of course, the 7–7 was mentioned at the Show but without a firm commitment.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 56 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Article
Publication date: 11 October 2018

Mariusz Krawczyk, Cezary Jerzy Szczepanski and Albert Zajdel

This paper aims to present a concept of an automatic directional control system of remotely piloted aerial system (RPAS) during the taxiing phase. In particular, it shows the…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present a concept of an automatic directional control system of remotely piloted aerial system (RPAS) during the taxiing phase. In particular, it shows the initial stages of the control laws synthesis – mathematical model and simulation of taxiing aircraft. Several reasons have emerged in recent years that make the automation of taxiing an important design challenge including decreased safety, performance and pilot workload.

Design/methodology/approach

The adapted methodology follows the model-based design approach in which the control system and the aircraft are mathematically modelled to allow control laws synthesis. The computer simulations are carried out to analyse the model behaviour.

Findings

Chosen methodology and modelling technique, especially tire-ground contact model, resulted in a taxing aircraft model that can be used for directional control law synthesis. Aerodynamic forces and moments were identified in the wind tunnel tests for the full range of the slip angle. Simulations allowed to compute the critical speeds for different taxiway conditions in a 90° turn.

Practical implications

The results can be used for the taxi directional control law synthesis and simulation of the control system. The computed critical speeds can be treated as safety limits.

Originality/value

The taxi directional control system has not been introduced to the RPAS yet. Therefore, the model of taxiing aircraft including aerodynamic characteristics for the full range of the slip angle has a big value in the process of design and implementation of the future auto taxi systems. Moreover, computed speed safety limits can be used by designers and standard creators.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 91 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

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