Method and apparatus for turn coordination gain as function of flap position

Abstract

An improved method and apparatus for determining the amount of turn coordination gain in an aircraft yaw damper during a turn maneuver is disclosed. The yaw damper includes inputs from the inertial reference units of the aircraft and also from the flight management computer of the aircraft. The flight management computer provides to the yaw damper a signal indicative of the position of the flaps of the aircraft. The yaw damper includes a turn coordination gain box that receives the flap position signal and outputs a turn coordination gain value, dependent upon the flap position. Generally, the turn coordination gain value increases as the flap position is more extended. The precise turn coordination gain value for each flap position is dependent upon the particular aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraft.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to aircraft turning control systems, and more particularly to a novel system capable of changing the turning coordination gain of an aircraft yaw damper as a function of aircraft flap position. Background technique [0002] During a maneuver in an aircraft in a fixed-wing configuration, turns are coordinated by various control units. For example, pilots make turns by manipulating the aircraft's ailerons, rudder, and elevators using joysticks in the cockpit of a fixed-wing aircraft. [0003] Computer-controlled rudder deflection has long been used to coordinate turns during aircraft bank maneuvers. It is well known that turn coordination is desirable because, for example, when an aircraft is banked to the left, the aircraft tends to yaw to the right due to the aileron-induced moment about the yaw axis. For a coordinated turn, the yaw axis moment induced during a left bank maneuver can be counteracted by a left rudder bias...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

It was found from Figure 1 that the gain adjuster shown does not provide optimal turn coordination, sometimes with diverging or converging turn characteristics

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