Flight envelope protection for NASA's transport class Model

Motivated by the problem of loss-of-control prevention, this paper presents a dynamic flight envelope protection system for NASA’s Transport Class Model. The developed protection scheme is based on a command-limiting approach that accounts for aircraft adverse aerodynamics, unusual attitude, and structural integrity, and is implemented around a standard gain-scheduled flight control law. The scheme also includes an energy protection scheme, which relies on an automatic throttle control system that implements a total energy control law. Preliminary batch and pilot-in-the-loop simulations demonstrate the efficacy of the protection system in maintaining the aircraft within desired safe conditions, without limiting the ability of the pilot to perform aggressive, evasive maneuvers.