Prediction ofPilot-Aircraft Stability Boundaries andPerformance Contours

Control-theoretic pilot models canprovide important newinsights regarding thestability andperformance characteristics ofthepilot-aircraft system. Optimal-control pilot models canbe formed forawiderange offlight conditions, suggesting that the humanpilot canmaintain stability ifheadapts his control strategy to theaircraft's changing dynamics. Ofparticular concern istheeffect ofsuboptimal pilot adaptation asanaircraft makestransitions from lowtohighangles ofattack during rapid maneuvering, asthe changes inaircraft stability andcontrol response canbeextreme. The effects ofoptimal andsuboptimal effort during atypical "high-g" maneuver areexamined, andtheconcept ofminimum-control effort (MCE)adaptation isintroduced. Limited experimental results tend tosupport theMCE adaptation concept.