Bifurcation Analysis of Flight Control Systems
Abstract
High performance systems, like the F-16, when pushed to their limits en-counter qualitative changes in control system properties like loss of controllabilityor observability. This work identifies and characterizes bifurcations occurring in anonlinear six degree of freedom F-16 in two scenarios - straight and level fight andin a coordinated turn. Phenomena such as stall, tumbling and spin-roll departurewere observed around bifurcation points. This work provides a basis for a formalunderstanding of how aircraft depart from controlled fight, it is a prerequisite forthe systematic design of recovery strategies, and it will contribute to the design ofreconfigurable control of impaired aircraft.
