Least Squares Curve Fitting Method With Applications to the Calculation of Stability Coefficients from Transient-Response Data

摘要

The problem of calculating airplane stability parameters from the aircraft response to an arbitrary disturbance is considered. To calculate the coefficients of the linear differential equation which describes the airplane transient response, application is made of a classical least-squares curve fitting method. It is shown that the method is applicable, although somewhat cumbersome, when the input is an arbitrary function of time. Certain inputs are demonstrated to lead to simplification in the application of the method. Examples are given illustrating the means of using the method and showing its practicability. Finally, an appendix, in which Prony's method and a generalization thereof appears, is presented.