Dynamic Rig for Validation of Control Algorithms at High Angles of Attack

Abstract

The dynamics of a modern aircraft at high angles of attack is complicated, with hazardous phenomena such as wing rock, stall, and spin. The paper presents a technique for cost-effective and safe studying of conventional and critical flight regimes and control validation using an autonomous scaled aircraft model mounted in a three-degree-of-freedom gimbal in a wind tunnel. The similarity of the dynamics at high angles of attack of the wind-tunnel model and the free-flying model is demonstrated. To suppress the wing rock and to prevent the stall, two control laws are designed using linear matrix inequalities and model reference adaptive control techniques. The controllers are tested in a semifree flight of the autonomous scaled model in the wind tunnel. Wing rock suppression and stall and spin prevention are demonstrated.