PILOT-INDUCED OSCILLATIONS: THEIR CAUSE AND ANALYSIS

Abstract : Systems analysis techniques are applied to the problem of pilot- induced aircraft oscillations (PIO). Mathematical models used for the pilot prior to and during PIO, as well as the use of various pilot and subsystem describing functions, are reviewed. Several examples of PIO causes, analyses, and cures are given, including linear and nonlinear longitudinal PIO. The closed-loop describing function for a rate-limited position servo is derived.