Chapter six (6) 6. Aircraft control system 6.

1 Axes of an aircraft

Longitudinal axis Lateral axis Vertical axis

6.2 Stability and control

Three terms that appear Stability maneuverability and controllability

Stability :-to cause it to fly in a straight and level flight path Maneuverability: - to be directed along a desired path and to withstand the stress imposed. Controllability: - is the quality of the response of an aircraft to the pilots commands while maneuvering the aircrafts.

Static stability three types of static stability. Positive static stability Negative static stability neutral static stability

Dynamic stability deals with the resulting of motion with time Longitudinal Stability -a constant angle of attack with reference to the relative wind -refers to motion in pitch The horizontal stabilizer is the primary surface which controls longitudinal stability. Directional stability

-Stability about the vertical axis

-The vertical stabilizer is the primary surface which controls directional stability. -Sweptback wings aid in directional stability Lateral stability Motion about its longitudinal (fore and aft) axis is a lateral or rolling motion The principal surface contributing to the lateral stability of an airplane is the wing.

Flight control surfaces

Aircraft flight control systems -consist of flight control surfaces, cockpit controls connecting linkages, and the necessary operating mechanisms to control an aircraft's direction in flight Cockpit controls A typical aircraft's primary flight controls in motion A control column or a control yoke attached to a column for roll and pitch, which moves the ailerons when turned or deflected left and right, and moves the elevators when moved backwards or forwards Rudder pedals to control yaw, which move the rudder, left foot forward will move the rudder left for instance. Throttle controls to control engine speed or thrust for powered aircraft. Even when an aircraft uses different kinds of surfaces, such as a V-tail/ruddervator, flaperons, or elevons

Secondary controls -to give the pilot finer control over flight or to ease the workload. a wheel or other device to control elevator trim other types of trim, for rudder and ailerons wing flaps, controlled by a switch or a mechanical lever including slats, spoilers, air brakes and variable-sweep wings.

Basic flight control systems Mechanical -They were used in early aircraft and are currently used in small airplanes where the aerodynamic forces are not excessive

-uses a collection of mechanical parts such as rods, cables, pulleys and sometimes chains to transmit the forces applied to the cockpit controls directly to the control surfaces

Hydro mechanical
With hydraulic flight control systems aircraft size and performance are limited by economics rather than a pilot's strength A hydraulic flight control systems has two parts: The mechanical circuit :-links the cockpit controls with the hydraulic circuits The hydraulic circuit :-has hydraulic pumps, reservoirs, filters, pipes, valves and actuators

Aircraft Control Surfaces An aircraft maintains control in flight with its control surfaces. These are: The Ailerons that control Roll The Rudder that controls Yaw The Elevators that control Pitch, and to a somewhat lesser degree, The Flaps which provide extra Lift and Drag We also mention the Landing Gear which changes the airflow around the aircraft when it is lowered.

Aileron (Roll)

The roll/bank of the aircraft is controlled by the side to side movement of the joystick.

work in opposite directions to each other

Elevator (Pitch) The pitch, or the up and down movement of the aircraft is controlled by the Elevator

Rudder (Yaw)

Yaw is induced by a moveable rudder

this is controlled by the foot pedals

Fig.6.6. Elevator action.

Force acting on the helicopter - one of the difference between a helicopter and a fixed wing aircraft is the main source of lift Helicopter axes of flight three axes of flight 1/ vertical 2/ longitudinal 3/ Lateral

Function of Controls There are three major controls in the helicopter that the pilot must use during flight. They are : A. Collective pitch control. B. Anti Torque Pedals or Tail Rotor Control. C. Cyclic Stick Control.