This report examines general aviation (GA) accident prevention strategies using automatic flight controls for basic flight envelope protection. While previous research in this area has successfully demonstrated simplified flight controls and light aircraft envelope protection, the research has failed to show a clear roadmap to certification and implementation. Previous control systems generally require fly-by-wire capability, which is prohibitively expensive for aircraft traditionally equipped with cable-actuated, reversible controls. Rather than resort to fly-by-wire systems, methods are investigated to leverage existing sensor and actuator technology to implement automatic envelope protection devices in a cost-effective manner, suitable for retrofit into the existing light-aircraft fleet. Systems that are purely advisory in nature, as well as those involving active manipulation of control surfaces, are considered. One innovation shows particular promise for providing stability augmentation and envelope protection without resorting to a fly-by-wire approach. Referred to as Force Gradient Control, the concept hinges on a new type of servo actuator that can be easily and continuously back-driven by a pilot while providing a variable torque output. The servo can provide artificial stability to the aircraft using actuation torques that are on the same order as the aircrafts natural hinge moments so that the applied forces are not objectionable to the pilot.


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    Title :

    General Aviation Envelope Protection Feasibility Study


    Contributors:
    J. Wilson (author) / M. Peters (author)

    Publication date :

    2011


    Size :

    86 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English





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