Variable Stability Transfer Function Simulation

Simulation, whether in-flight or ground-based, is an invaluable tool for testing and evaluating aircraft. Classically, a simulation model is specific to a single particular airframe, only able to model those flying characteristics. Vast information can be gained from a simulation that is able to model a wide range of aircraft, through a comparison of the performance of these aircraft. Such a variable stability simulation model was created based on 46 stability parameters, including natural frequencies, damping ratios, time constants, and gains. The simulation was obtained using transfer functions representing the aircraft state responses to control inputs. These transfer functions were converted into state space systems used to create the linear equations for the model. The model was first developed as a desktop simulation and then converted for use with the Virginia Tech's 2F122A flight simulator. This conversion required a simple dynamic inversion of the body axis force and moment terms. To reduce the error in these terms, a model following scheme was incorporated. A series of canned inputs and real-time pilot-in-the-loop tests were flown to evaluate the variable stability model. Results in this paper have demonstrated the successful creation of a variable stability simulation model.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Aerospace and Ocean Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Aerospace and Ocean Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2002

Author dc:creator

• Pettersson, Henrik Bengt

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Durham, Wayne C.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Woolsey, Craig A.
• Lutze, Frederick H. Jr.

• Flight Simulation
• Transfer Functions
• Model Following
• Linearization
• Variable Stability

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-06102002-185506

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/33503