The History and Future of Flight Control Simulation
The History and Future of Flight Control Simulation
Larry A. Moody*
The Boeing Company, Seattle, WA, 98124-2207
One of the most useful contributions of the Flight Simulator to the technical development of new aircraft is to provide a tool that can be used to develop and evaluate the aircraft’s control characteristics. Early aircraft were controlled entirely with manual actuation of the control surfaces through cables and push rods. In contrast, some modern aircraft are controlled almost entirely with computer actuation, or at least with computer augmentation.
This paper discusses how, from one end of this spectrum to the other, simulation of control techniques has evolved and is paramount to successful aircraft development and usage. The purpose of this paper is to provide a perspective on the evolution of flight control simulation, and with that perspective, how we may ponder new and greater uses for this emerging new technology. I.
T
Introduction
HE science of developing, testing, and refining the control systems that define the handling characteristics of aircraft has seen phenomenal progress in the last half century, due primarily to the advanced capabilities of computer simulation systems. It is now commonplace for completely new aircraft to demonstrate remarkably precise handling and control characteristics on the very first flight, something which was rarely seen before the advancement of control system simulation. Flight test envelope expansion can progress with fewer test flights as confidence in the aircraft is gained through good correlation with simulation data, saving millions of dollars in development costs. Simulation of the aircraft response characteristics has become so accurate that even mission effectiveness studies can be conducted before the first piece of aluminum is cut.
This paper attempts to recap some of the major advancements in control system simulation, along with exploring the possibilities of where the
Larry A. Moody*
The Boeing Company, Seattle, WA, 98124-2207
One of the most useful contributions of the Flight Simulator to the technical development of new aircraft is to provide a tool that can be used to develop and evaluate the aircraft’s control characteristics. Early aircraft were controlled entirely with manual actuation of the control surfaces through cables and push rods. In contrast, some modern aircraft are controlled almost entirely with computer actuation, or at least with computer augmentation.
This paper discusses how, from one end of this spectrum to the other, simulation of control techniques has evolved and is paramount to successful aircraft development and usage. The purpose of this paper is to provide a perspective on the evolution of flight control simulation, and with that perspective, how we may ponder new and greater uses for this emerging new technology. I.
T
Introduction
HE science of developing, testing, and refining the control systems that define the handling characteristics of aircraft has seen phenomenal progress in the last half century, due primarily to the advanced capabilities of computer simulation systems. It is now commonplace for completely new aircraft to demonstrate remarkably precise handling and control characteristics on the very first flight, something which was rarely seen before the advancement of control system simulation. Flight test envelope expansion can progress with fewer test flights as confidence in the aircraft is gained through good correlation with simulation data, saving millions of dollars in development costs. Simulation of the aircraft response characteristics has become so accurate that even mission effectiveness studies can be conducted before the first piece of aluminum is cut.
This paper attempts to recap some of the major advancements in control system simulation, along with exploring the possibilities of where the
References: McCormick, Barnes W., Aerodynamics, Aeronautics, and Flight Mechanics, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1979, p. Abzug,M.J., Larrabee,E.E.,Airplane Stability and Control , Second Edition, Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom, 2002, p.9. Press, England, 1986. Simulation”, Royal Aeronautical Society, London, 1979. Press, England, 1986.