STI-TP-1119-Optimal Autorotative Profiles Using Active Inceptor Cueing

Rotorcraft autorotation is a particularly challenging maneuver whose training demands are inadequately addressed in military or civilian aviation. Tactile safeguards may be one of the most effective means for protecting against control misapplication due to training gaps and negative training. In response to this topic’s solicitation STI proposes the Optimal Autorotation Cueing System (OACS). OACS takes its guidance from optimal aircraft trajectories and control commands computed with the direct-collocation optimization method, solved using a commercially available nonlinear programming problem solver. In Phase I an active cyclic will be used to demonstrate active inceptor feasibility during autorotation, while the collective inputs generated by the optimizer are issued directly to the helicopter simulator. OACS will offer both envelope protection as well as guidance control via the active cyclic. Cueing control law configurations will be demonstrated using human-in-the-loop flight simulation at the conclusion of the project.