Stability and control modelling

Abstract

This paper discusses the influence of rotor dynamics and dynamic inflow on the stability and control characteristics of single rotor helicopters in near hovering flight. Body attitude and rate feedback gain limitations which arise due to rotor dynamics and dynamic inflow are discussed. It is shown that attitude feedback gain is limited primarily by body-flap coupling and rate gain is limited by the lag degrees of freedom. Dynamic inflow is shown to produce significant changes in the modes of motion.