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

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

Burcham, Frank W., author.

Contributor:

Burken, John J., Creator.

Maine, Trindel A., Creator.

Fullerton, Charles G. (Charles Gordon), Creator.

Hugh L. Dryden Flight Research Center, issuing body.

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

Series:

NASA technical paper ; 97-206217.

NASA/TP ; 97-206217

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Flight control.

Transport planes.

Emergencies.

Genre:

NASA Technical Publication.

technical reports.

Technical reports

Technical reports.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xiii, 133 pages) : color illustrations.

Place of Publication:

Edwards, California : National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Dryden Flight Research Center, October 1997.

Summary:

An emergency flight control system that uses only engine thrust, called the propulsion-controlled aircraft (PCA) system, was developed and flight tested on an MD-11 airplane. The PCA system is a thrust-only control system, which augments pilot flightpath and track commands with aircraft feedback parameters to control engine thrust. The PCA system was implemented on the MD-11 airplane using only software modifications to existing computers. Results of a 25-hr flight test 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, altitudes, and configurations. PCA approaches, go-arounds, and three landings without the use of any normal flight controls were demonstrated, including ILS-coupled hands-off landings. PCA operation was used to recover from an upset condition. The PCA system was also tested at altitude with all three hydraulic systems turned off. This paper reviews the principles of throttles-only flight control, a history of accidents or incidents in which some or all flight controls were lost, the MD-11 airplane and its systems, PCA system development, operation, flight testing, and pilot comments.

Notes:

Title from title screen (viewed on April 28, 2016).

"October 1997."

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

Includes bibliographical references (pages 101-108).

Pdf http://dtrs.dfrc.nasa.gov/archive/00000148/01/206217.pdf.

Other Format:

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

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

OCLC:

703661724