Design and flight testing of digital direct side-force control laws

Three-input/three-output command augmentation control laws have been designed and tested in flight using Princeton's Variable-Response Research Aircraft. Controllers were based upon algebraic model-following, a fast and efficient method of direct digital synthesis for advanced control modes. Pilot opinions of several command modes and controller-to-command pairings are presented in this paper. Flat turns, lateral translation, and roll control were investigated. Of the command modes tested, foot pedals-to-yaw rate, lateral stick-to-roll rate, and thumb lever-to-sideslip angle provided the best overall ratings.