Flight control system, based on total energy

摘要

In a method of flight control in which a thrust command is computed based on the total aircraft energy error relative to flight path and speed control commands, and an elevator command is computed based on the energy distribution error relative to the same flight path and speed control commands, an improvement is provided including an elevator control command in response to a column control input by the pilot. In the short term, the computing establishes a change in flight path angle beyond the sustainable flight path angle at the trim speed for the prevailing thrust condition. In the long term, the computing establishes a change in speed relative to a set reference speed, the speed change being proportional to the column control input. In the long term, the computing establishes a flight path angle equal to a sustainable value for the prevailing thrust condition and the altered speed condition.