Requirements for Servo-boosted Control Elements for Sailplanes

Abstract

Requirements for control systems in sailplanes and powered sailplanes to be equipped with servo-powered transmission and control elements have been analyzed to provide information regarding airworthiness of such controls.  A flight dynamics dataset was acquired in flight tests and used to create a six degree-of-freedom simulation in which various potential actuator failure scenarios were investigated.  An exemplary functional hazard analysis was conducted.  To demonstrate a servo-boosted control system for the airbrakes, a system based on an electric actuator was designed, built, and evaluated in flight.  The system kept the hand force below a specified level and allowed controlled deployment of the airbrakes over the whole speed range.