Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology

Purpose – The main targets of the work are analysis and simulation of flying laboratory performance. In particular, synthesis of control system for handling qualities change and evaluation in flight are taken into consideration.

Design/methodology/approach – Modification of handling qualities is obtained by applying indirect flight control system (FBW). The properties of the optimal controller are calculated through the indirect (implicit) model-following method. In particular, the modified version based on the computer simulations is used.

Findings – Calculation and simulation concern the synthesis of desired handling qualities of the general aviation aircraft PZL-M20 “Mewa” equipped with indirect (FBW) experimental flight control system. Results of the simulation show that the flying laboratory has the same properties as modeled aircraft, and it is possible to say that handling properties concern attitude orientation of the experimental aircraft is similar to modeled commuter aircraft.

Practical implications – The result of research can be implemented on a project of the flying laboratory based on general aviation aircraft PZL M20 “Mewa”.

Originality/value – The paper presents the practical approach for synthesis of the “Simplified total in flight simulator” performance which can be used for analysis of handling qualities of general aviation aircraft equipped with FBW. Research of this type focuses on military and transport airplanes however, there are no published works in the area of small aircraft so far.