Use of Ground-based and In-flight Simulation for Flight Control System Development

Modern aircraft design requirements have resulted in highly augmented configurations where there is a need to test with a pilot-in-loop to resolve critical design issues.A historical background on the evolution of ground-based and in-flight simulators and manners in which they were then used in the development of flight control systems was represented.Possible inadequacies or advantages of various types of simulation were discussed.A process for designing flight control systems through complementary use of ground-based and in-flight simulators was recommended in order to provide better evaluation of the flying qualities of the closed loop pilot-aircraft combination.