Flight Investigation of Gyroplane Longitudinal Flight Dynamics

Thomson, D. and Houston, S. (1997) Flight Investigation of Gyroplane Longitudinal Flight Dynamics. In: 23rd European Rotorcraft Forum, Dresden, Germany, Sep 1997,

Abstract

This Paper presents an analysis of test data recorded during flight trials of a gyroplane. This class of rotarywing aircraft has found limited application in areas other than sport or recreational flying. However, the accident rate is such that a study of the configuration's stability and control characteristics is timely, and in addition substantive data is required for a new airworthiness and design standard that is under development. The Paper presents a unique coupling of established parameter estimation techniques with data from a class of aircraft that has received no attention in the contemporary literature. As a consequence, the Paper helps to consolidate the status of system identification as a powerful tool in the analysis of rotorcraft engineering problems. It is concluded that robust estimates of the longitudinal stability and control derivatives have been identified, indicating benign and "classical" longitudinal stability and control characteristics. However, unlike most helicopters, the rotorspeed degree of freedom must be included in the model structure.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Houston, Dr Stewart and Thomson, Dr Douglas
• Authors: Thomson, D., and Houston, S.
• Subjects: T Technology > TL Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Autonomous Systems and Connectivity
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 1997 The Authors
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with permission of Authors