Rotorcraft Handling Qualities in Turbulence

Rotorcraft are often required to perform tasks in environments where atmospheric disturbances can significantly affect performance and vehicle handling qualities. Establishing requirements for rotorcraft handling qualities in turbulence is thus of prime importance, particularly to the military. An analytical study is described that addresses this issue. First, a simplified approach to modeling the aerodynamic effects of turbulence on rotorcraft is presented. A structural pilot model employing a handling-qualities sensitivity function is next used to quantify handling qualities. Next, an hypothesis regarding the manner in which turbulence affects vehicle handling qualities is proposed. Finally, an example of the analytical approach is presented involving the longitudinal hover task of an AH-1G rotorcraft. In addition to the unaugmented vehicle, three levels of stability augmentation are considered, each involving different levels of feedback to achieve their goals.

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