Loss Of Control Observer for Safety Assurance

Recent FAA-sponsored work on certification considerations for advanced aerial mobility (AAM) aircraft has developed an algorithmic approach for detecting the onset of loss-of-control (LOC) events through monitoring of the aircraft remaining control power (RCP). This model-based, recursive filter approach, while powerful, presumes knowledge of the vehicle control effectiveness as a function of flight condition and configuration in the determination of both RCP and disturbance wind conditions. The proposed work plans to significantly expand this capability to address possible LOC events when the control effectiveness itself deteriorates due to unusual flight conditions (such a vortex ring state) or environmental effects (icing, shear flows). The expanded detection capability would provide assurance of autonomy of the associated flight control system to indicate the potential onset of conditions that would degrade vehicle control capability.