Control System for Aircraft Take-off and Landing Based on Modified PID controllers

Abstract

This article describes some of tasks carried out as a part of an international project ERA (Enhanced RPAS Automation, RPAS – Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems). The works were focused on a control system for an optionally piloted aircraft MP-02 Czajka, especially on adapting the control system for piloting the aircraft in take-off and landing phases. The entry point was the control system built on using PID controllers in the aircraft. The quality of the control system was insufficient; especially for steering in critical flight states such as take-off and landing. The aim was to improve and fine-tune it to the object, which would allow to shorten time constants of the system, reduce overshoots and errors. It was decided to leave a general structure of a control algorithm based on PID controllers, however, it was extended with additional elements, among others blocks of additional damping, “fit forward” blocks and others. The article describes control laws and their modification as well as effects on steering in longitudinal motion, primarily an angle of pitch of the aircraft, as well as lateral movement, by controlling an angle of roll and a course of the aircraft.