Back to search

Virginia Tech

Longitudinal axis display requirements for high speed cruise

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Altitude excursions particular to high speed aircraft are investigated in this thesis. An aerodynamic database of the XB-70 is created and a longitudinal linear model is constructed for a high speed cruise flight condition. An examination of the unpiloted aircraft dynamics revealed that the excursions were not due to a poorly handling aircraft. Thus, it is theorized that the excursions are due to pilot vehicle interactions. A classical control method developed a loop closure scheme suitable for acceptable control of the aircraft. The results showed that a pilot should close an inner loop with negative attitude feedback and an outer loop with positive flight path feedback. A modern control method analysis using an optimal control pilot model confirmed the preceding conclusions. Based on these results, the cockpit pitch attitude display resolution should be less than 1° so that the pilot will be able to perform the loop closures necessary for constant altitude flight.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Aerospace Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Aerospace Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
1993

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Honaker, David
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Anderson, Mark R.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Cliff, Eugene M.
  • Durham, Wayne C.

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-06162009-063023
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/43312

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
related terms
citation

Honaker, David. Longitudinal axis display requirements for high speed cruise. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 1993. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/43312