Simulator Evaluation of Simplified Propulsion-Only Emergency Flight Control Systems on Transport Aircraft

Burcham Jr., Frank W. and Maine, Trindel A. and Kaneshige, John and Bull, John (1999) Simulator Evaluation of Simplified Propulsion-Only Emergency Flight Control Systems on Transport Aircraft. Technical Report NASA/TM-1999-206578, Research Engineering, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center.

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Abstract

With the advent of digital engine control systems, considering the use of engine thrust for emergency flight control has become feasible. Many incidents have occurred in which engine thrust supplemented or replaced normal aircraft flight controls. In most of these cases, a crash has resulted, and more than 1100 lives have been lost. The NASA Dryden Flight Research Center has developed a propulsion-controlled aircraft (PCA) system in which computer-controlled engine thrust provides emergency flight control capability. Using this PCA system, an F-15 and an MD-11 airplane have been landed without using any flight controls. In simulations, C-17, B-757, and B-747 PCA systems have also been evaluated successfully. These tests used full-authority digital electronic control systems on the engines. Developing simpler PCA systems that can operate without full-authority engine control, thus allowing PCA technology to be installed on less capable airplanes or at lower cost, is also a desire. Studies have examined simplified “PCA Ultralite” concepts in which thrust control is provided using an autothrottle system supplemented by manual differential throttle control. Some of these concepts have worked well. The PCA Ultralite study results are presented for simulation tests of MD-11, B-757, C-17, and B-747 aircraft.

EPrint Type:	NASA Technical Memorandum
Keywords:	B-747, B-757, C-17, Emergency flight control, MD-11, Propulsive control
Subjects:	Aircraft/Project: C-17 Aircraft/Project: Boeing 747 Aircraft/Project: MD-11 (01 - 09) Aeronautics: (08) Aircraft Stability And Control Aircraft/Project: F-15
ID Code:	89
Deposited On:	03 June 2004
Additional Information:	49 pages. Frank W. Burcham, Jr. and Trindel A. Maine, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California; John Kaneshige, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California; and John Bull, CAELUM Research Corporation, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California.