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Nonlinear Analysis of Aircraft Loss of Control
Journal article

Nonlinear Analysis of Aircraft Loss of Control

Harry G Kwatny, Jean-Etienne T Dongmo, Bor-Chin Chang, Gaurav Bajpai, Murat Yasar and Christine Belcastro
Journal of guidance, control, and dynamics, v 36(1), pp 149-162
Jan 2013
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2514/1.56948

Abstract

Loss of control is a major factor in fatal aircraft accidents. Although definitions of loss of control remain vague in analytical terms, it is generally associated with flight outside of the normal flight envelope, with nonlinear influences, and with a significantly diminished capability of the pilot to control the aircraft. Primary sources of nonlinearity are the intrinsic nonlinear dynamics of the aircraft and the state and control constraints within which the aircraft must operate. This paper examines how these nonlinearities affect the ability to control the aircraft and how they may contribute to loss of control. Specifically, the ability to regulate an aircraft around stall points is considered, as is the question of how damage to control effectors impacts the capability to remain within an acceptable envelope and to maneuver within it. It is shown that, even when a sufficient set of steady motions exist, the ability to regulate around them or transition between them can be difficult and nonintuitive, particularly for impaired aircraft. Examples are provided using NASA’s generic transport model.

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30 Record Views
58 citations in Web of Science
86 citations in Scopus

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Engineering, Aerospace
Instruments & Instrumentation
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