FEATURES OF LARGE TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT AFFECTING CONTROL DURING APPROACH AND LANDING

The special features affecting the low-speed control of large high-performance transport aircraft are discussed. These are shown to be largely associated with growth in size and with the trend towards configurations extending predominantly in the fore and aft direction. These 'inertially' or 'dynamically' slender aircraft, not necessarily featuring slender wings, tend to combine slow response in pitch with relatively lively behavior in roll. In the longitudinal plane there appears to be the possibility of increased demands on the pilot's judgement in the approach, and accuracy might best be maintained by the use of a simple director aid. Satisfactory lateral control in crosswinds depends on rolling moment due to sideslip derivative (-l sub v) being kept small and on the provision of powerful and fast responding ailerons; and possibly roll-stabilization. Many of the phenomena discussed cannot be resolved by theoretical analysis alone and simulator investigations are planned to assess their true significance. (Author)