Active Flight Control and Applique Inceptor Concepts for Autorotation Performance Enhancement

Enhancing rotorcraft safety due to engine or drive train failures has been a primary concern throughout the history of vertical flight operations. Recent work on autorotation trajectory optimization has shown potential for improved flight control and guidance solutions, but work remains to implement these solutions without over-burdening the pilot during this high workload flight condition. With the recent trends toward active inceptors providing envelope limiting capabilities, it is desirable to investigate the application of these same methods to the autorotation recovery problem. Continuum Dynamics, Inc. and subcontractor Penn State University propose to develop and evaluate active flight control and appliqué inceptor concepts to enhance autorotation recovery performance and improve handling qualities for this challenging flight condition. The proposed research and development will focus on tactile cueing methods to provide pilot feedback commands for improving handling qualities while tracking optimal trajectories for a rotorcraft in autorotation conditions. Concepts for providing tactile cues will focus on active inceptors, including an appliqué concept based on smart material actuation for application in legacy aircraft. The Phase I program will include high-fidelity physics-based simulation evaluations in desktop and pilot-in-the-loop settings to identify promising flight control, guidance, and cueing concepts.