Simple Control Law Structure for the Control of Airplanes by Means of Their Engines

Abstract

In this paper a simple control law structure is presented for the control of airplanes using only the engines’ thrust. For the design of such a propulsion controlled aircraft control law, the approach followed in this work is to look for the right level of performance in order to avoid both excessive engines activity and reduction of robustness properties. Another goal is to keep the control law and its tuning as simple as possible: for this a control law structure whose terms can easily be interpreted is proposed. The capability of the proposed control law to permit safe landing was shown by simulator tests as well as flight tests.