Control system for propeller driven aircraft

• Main Author: BYRNE, JR.; WILLIAM M
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 07.11.1995
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: CONTROLLING; PHYSICS; REGULATING; SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES

A control system is provided which prevents a powerful, propeller driven, jet training aircraft from requiring corrective action to throttling and gyroscopic effects when the student wishes to fly the aircraft in coordinated flight. The control system includes a digital memory having stored therein flight test generated data representative of the relationship between the amount of rudder trim required to maintain the aircraft in coordinated flight as a function of aircraft engine torque and airspeed. Sensors are provided to measure aircraft engine torque aircraft altitude aircraft speed, and pitch rate. The measured parameters are coupled to the digital computer. The digital computer combines the parameters provided by the sensors and data read from the memory to produce a composite rudder trim signal which automatically reduces rudder forces induced by throttling and gyroscopic effects produced in response to pilot commanded maneuvers to thereby maintain the aircraft in coordinated flight. Thus, once the student trims the aircraft, the control system maintains the aircraft approximately trimmed throughout the flight envelope regardless of flight condition changes or acrobatic maneuver.