Date of Award

3-2001

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics

First Advisor

Bradley S. Liebst, PhD

Abstract

Rate limiting has been a causal or contributing factor for Pilot Induced Oscillations (PIO). As part of the joint Air Force Institute of Technology/Test Pilot School (AFIT/TPS) program, an examination of the Open-Loop Onset Point (OLOP) criterion, developed by DLR German Aerospace, was conducted to see if it could predict PIO due to rate limiting and to evaluate its potential as a design tool. The criterion was applied to three previous flight test programs involving rate limiting. Findings from this analysis led to the HAVE OLOP flight test which was flown on the NF-16D Variable Stability In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft (VISTA). HAVE OLOP evaluated four longitudinal configurations with rate limiting elements inside the feedback loop. OLOP was found to over-predict PIO in some cases when using maximum stick amplitude as DLR suggests. When using actual stick amplitudes, correlation between OLOP predictions and PIO ratings was good. A new metric called stick ratio was developed to help explore the full range of stick amplitudes when using OLOP. OLOP could be a useful design tool, but because of the strong influence of stick amplitude, engineering judgement would have to be exercised. Recommendations on its use as a design tool are presented.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GAE-ENY-01M-02

DTIC Accession Number

ADA390168

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