helicopter automatic flight control system

Besides, Fly-By-Light (FBL) system, which has demonstrated its superiority in saving weights and reducing electromagnetic interference susceptibility problems, was already applied to helicopter in-flight simulators, such as UH-60A, EC-135, and BO-105. This technique has been adopted by JUH-60A, AH-64D, CH-47B, RAH-66, Bell-205, NH-90, and so forth. The most currently used FCS is digital Fly-By-Wire (FBW) system, designed to improve handling qualities, alleviate failure transients, and reduce maintenance activities. As technology developed, digital systems, with advantages in development flexibility, complex function support, and power reduction, started to replace analog systems.

The complicated dynamic system of large-scale helicopter brings to the FCS a great deal of design considerations and updates.Įarly helicopters were primarily controlled through mechanical linkages, and then, electronic stabilization was implemented via analog systems to provide electronic feedback. Large-scale helicopter has its unique characteristics of maneuverability and low speed performance compared to fixed-wing aircraft, which significantly extends its application in both military and civil. Then, the challenging research issues on flight control technology are identified, and future directions are highlighted. Following this, various flight control methodologies are described with respect to their engineering implementation and theoretical developments, whose advantages and disadvantages are also analyzed. Challenges of large-scale helicopter flight control system (FCS) design are illustrated. A literature review of flight control technology is presented for large-scale helicopter.

Helicopter automatic flight control system