Development and flight test of an augmented thrust-only flight control system on an MD- 11 transport airplane / Frank W. Burcham, Jr. [and three others].

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

Burcham, Frank W., author.

Contributor:

United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Scientific and Technical Information Program, issuing body.

United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, sponsoring body.

Series:

NASA technical memorandum ; 4745.

NASA technical memorandum ; 4745

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Transport planes.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (25 pages) : illustrations.

Place of Publication:

[Washington, D.C.] : National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Office of Management, Scientific and Technical Information Program, July 1996.

Summary:

An emergency flight control system using only engine thrust, called Propulsion-Controlled Aircraft (PCA), has been developed and flight tested on an MD-11 airplane. In this thrust-only control system, pilot flightpath and track commands and aircraft feedback parameters are used to control the throttles. The PCA system was installed on the MD-11 airplane using software modifications to existing computers. Flight test results show that the PCA system can be used to fly to an airport and safely land a transport airplane with an inoperative flight control system. In up-and-away operation, the PCA system served as an acceptable autopilot capable of extended flight over a range of speeds and altitudes. The PCA approaches, go-arounds, and three landings without the use of any normal flight controls have been demonstrated, including instrument landing system-coupled hands-off landings. The PCA operation was used to recover from an upset condition. In addition, PCA was tested at altitude with all three hydraulic systems turned off. This paper reviews the principles of throttles-only flight control; describes the MD-11 airplane and systems; and discusses PCA system development, operation, flight testing, and pilot comments.

Notes:

Title from title screen (viewed Feb. 23, 2016).

"July 1996."

"Performing organization: NASA Dryden Flight Research Center"--Report documentation page.

Includes bibliographical references (page 25).

pdf http://dtrs.dfrc.nasa.gov/archive/00000192/01/TM4745.pdf

Other Format:

Print version: Development and flight test of an augmented thrust-only flight control system on an MD-11 transport airplane

Microfiche version: Development and flight test of an augmented thrust-only flight control system on an MD-11 transport airplane

OCLC:

703662930