Various VTOL aircraft configurations which have exhibited coupling between pitch and roll inputs, requiring a combination of longitudinal and lateral motions of the stick to obtain a pure pitch or a pure roll response, have often given rise to adverse pilot comment. In order to provide a basis for establishing handling qualities criteria with respect to cross controlling, both instrument and visual flight tests were con¬ducted in which the pilot was required to cross control (use a combina-tion of longitudinal and lateral stick motion) to achieve a pure response.nThe results of these tests indicate that for control phase angles (the angle through which the pilot must cross control to obtain a pure response) of up to 20°, the pilot is aware of coupling only when making large corrections or inputs. However, it was found that control phase angles greater than 35° resulted in unsatisfactory handling qualities for an aircraft with otherwise satisfactory to optimum characteristics.
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