Fly-by-Wire Flight Control

Abstract

The introduction of fly-by-wire (FBW) flight control systems has been a watershed development in aircraft evolution as it has enabled technical advances to be made which were not possible before. One of the unique benefits of a FBW system is the ability to exploit aircraft configurations which provide increased aerodynamic efficiency, like more lift and lower drag, but at a cost of reduced natural stability. This can include negative stability, that is the aircraft is unstable over part of the range of speed and height conditions (or flight envelope).