Flight Control Systems: Practical issues in design and implementation

by Roger W. Pratt

Overview

A complete reference on modern flight control methods for fixed-wing aircraft, this authoritative book includes contributions from an international group of experts in their respective specialised fields, largely from industry. Split into two parts, the first section of the book deals with the fundamentals of flight control systems design, while the second concentrates on genuine applications based on the modern control methods used in the latest aircraft.

It is assumed that the reader will have some knowledge of classical control. The book builds upon the foundations laid by standard texts on flight control so that the reader will gain a good background in current industrial practice and be in a position to benefit from more specialised reading. Its prime aim is to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world applications in the area and its emphasis on practical approaches will make it particularly suitable for:

• practising engineers who are relatively new to the aviation industry and require a consolidated approach to the different aspects of flight control
• postgraduate students in strategic or applied research
• final stage undergraduates.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780852967669
Publisher:	The Institution of Engineering and Technology
Publication date:	06/30/2000
Series:	Control, Robotics and Sensors
Pages:	412
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x (d)

About the Author

Roger W. Pratt was formerly a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering, Loughborough University, UK and is now with Ricardo MTC Ltd, Leamington Spa, UK. He is a member of the IEE and a UK Member for AIAA's Technical Committee on Guidance, Navigation & Control. His team of contributors includes engineers from British Aerospace, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace, Boeing, Smiths Industries and Cambridge Control as well as research institutions in the UK and Germany.

Table of Contents

• Chapter 1: Industrial considerations for flight control
• Chapter 2: Aircraft modelling
• Chapter 3: Actuation systems
• Chapter 4: Handling qualities
• Chapter 5: Automatic flight control system design considerations
• Chapter 6: Ground and flight testing of digital flight control systems
• Chapter 7: Aeroservoelasticity
• Chapter 8: Eigenstructure assignment applied to the design of an autopilot function for a civil aircraft
• Chapter 9: An H_infinity loop-shaping design for the VAAC Harrier

Editorial Reviews

'A most distinguishing feature of a distinguished book is its outstanding success in fulfilling its prime aim of bridging the gap between academic research and real-world applications in the area, and its emphasis on practical approaches that makes it particularly suitable for practising engineers who are relatively new in the aviation industry and require a consolidated approach to the different aspects of flight control.

In short, the clarity and practicality of the book will be of great assistance to all engineers with an interest in flight control. Postgraduate students in strategic or applied research and final stage undergraduates will also find it an extremely useful reference text.'

Current Engineering Practice

'a book which aerospace professionals should find to be informative and enjoyable.'

The Aeronautical Journal

Bridging the gap between academic research and real-world applications, this reference on modern flight control methods for fixed-wing aircraft deals with fundamentals of flight control systems design, then concentrates on applications based on the modern control methods used in the latest aircraft. The book is written for practicing engineers who are new to the aviation industry, postgraduate students in strategic or applied research, and advanced undergraduates. Some knowledge of classical control is assumed. Pratt is a member of IEEE and is UK Member for AIAA's Technical Committee on Guidance, Navigation and Control. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)