Modelling the flight dynamics of the hang glider

2006 ◽  
Vol 110 (1103) ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. V. Cook ◽  
M. Spottiswoode
Keyword(s):  
Complex Geometry ◽  
Equations Of Motion ◽  
Linear Equations ◽  
Control Analysis ◽  
Stability And Control ◽  
Aerodynamic Model ◽  
Directional Control ◽  
Weight Shift ◽  
Control Derivatives ◽  
And Control

AbstractThe development of the non-linear equations of motion for the hang glider from first principles is described, including the complex geometry of control by pilot ‘weight shift’. By making appropriate assumptions the linearised small perturbation equations are derived for the purposes of stability and control analysis. The mathematical development shows that control is effected not by pilot weight shift, but by centre of gravity shift and that lateral-directional control by this means is weak, and is accompanied by significant instantaneous adverse response.The development of a comprehensive semi-empirical mathematical model of the flexible wing aerodynamics is described. In particular, the modelling attempts to quantify camber and twist dependencies. The performance of the model is shown to compare satisfactorily with measured hang glider wing data obtained in earlier full scale experiments. The mathematical aerodynamic model is then used to estimate the hang glider stability and control derivatives over the speed envelope for substitution into the linearised equations of motion.

Modelling the flight dynamics of the hang glider

2005 ◽  
Vol 109 (1102) ◽  
pp. I-XX ◽  
Author(s):  
M. V. Cook ◽  
M. Spottiswoode
Keyword(s):  
Complex Geometry ◽  
Equations Of Motion ◽  
Linear Equations ◽  
Flight Dynamics ◽  
Control Analysis ◽  
Stability Margins ◽  
Stability And Control ◽  
Centre Of Gravity ◽  
Weight Shift ◽  
And Control

AbstractThe development of the non-linear equations of motion for the hang glider from first principles is described, including the complex geometry of control by pilot ‘weight shift’. By making appropriate assumptions the linearised small perturbation equations are derived for the purposes of stability and control analysis. The mathematical development shows that control is effected not by pilot weight shift, but by centre of gravity shift and that lateral-directional control by this means is weak, and is accompanied by significant instantaneous adverse response.The development of a comprehensive semi-empirical mathematical model of the flexible wing aerodynamics is described. In particular, the modelling attempts to quantify camber and twist dependencies. The performance of the model is shown to compare satisfactorily with measured hang glider wing data obtained in earlier full scale experiments. The mathematical aerodynamic model is then used to estimate the hang glider stability and control derivatives over the speed envelope for substitution into the linearised equations of motion.Solution of the equations of motion is illustrated and the flight dynamics of the typical hang glider are described. In particular, the dynamic stability properties are very similar to those of a conventional aeroplane, but the predicted lateral directional stability margins are significantly larger. The depth of mathematical modelling employed enables the differences to be explained satisfactorily. The unique control properties of the hang glider are described in some detail. Pitch and roll control of the hang glider is an aerodynamic phenomenon and results from the pilot adjusting his position relative to the wing in order to generate out of trim aerodynamic control moments about the centre of gravity. Maximum control moments are limited by hang glider geometry which is dependent on the length of the pilot‘s arm. The pilot does not generate control moments directly by shifting his weight relative to the wing. The modelling thus described would seem to give a plausible description of the flight dynamics of the hang glider.

Stability and Control Analysis on a Small-Scale Coaxial Helicopter with Bell-Hiller Stabilizer Bar

2013 ◽  
Vol 340 ◽  
pp. 862-866
Author(s):  
Nie Zi ◽  
Chen Ming
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Perturbation Theory ◽  
Numerical Method ◽  
Small Perturbation ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Control Analysis ◽  
Stability And Control ◽  
Control Derivatives ◽  
And Control ◽  
Coaxial Helicopter

In the paper, we present a linearized mathematical model of a small scale coaxial helicopter with Bell-Hiller stabilizer bar, which is extracted from numerical linearization of a non-linear mathematical model with small perturbation theory. Stability and control derivatives calculated by numerical method are compared and analyzed for stability and control analysis on coaxial helicopters equipped with different type stabilizer bar. The study indicates that the coaxial helicopter with stabilizer bar fixed on the upper rotors has better capability on stability and control.

Rotorcraft Lateral-Directional Oscillations: The Anatomy of a Nuisance Mode

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dheeraj Agarwal ◽  
Linghai Lu ◽  
Gareth D. Padfield ◽  
Mark D. White ◽  
Neil Cameron
Keyword(s):  
Simulation Model ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Flight Test ◽  
Flight Simulation ◽  
Stability And Control ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Control Derivatives ◽  
Research Aircraft ◽  
Level Of Understanding ◽  
And Control

High-fidelity rotorcraft flight simulation relies on the availability of a quality flight model that further demands a good level of understanding of the complexities arising from aerodynamic couplings and interference effects. One such example is the difficulty in the prediction of the characteristics of the rotorcraft lateral-directional oscillation (LDO) mode in simulation. Achieving an acceptable level of the damping of this mode is a design challenge requiring simulation models with sufficient fidelity that reveal sources of destabilizing effects. This paper is focused on using System Identification to highlight such fidelity issues using Liverpool's FLIGHTLAB Bell 412 simulation model and in-flight LDO measurements from the bare airframe National Research Council's (Canada) Advanced Systems Research Aircraft. The simulation model was renovated to improve the fidelity of the model. The results show a close match between the identified models and flight test for the LDO mode frequency and damping. Comparison of identified stability and control derivatives with those predicted by the simulation model highlight areas of good and poor fidelity.

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