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Some thoughts on mathematical models for flight dynamics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

H. H. B. M. Thomas
H. H. B. M. Thomas*
Affiliation:
Aeronautical Engineering
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Summary

The objective of the present paper is to examine how the mathematical modelling of the overall aircraft system, in order to calculate its flight dynamics, has had to change to meet the requirements set by the type of problem posed. Some of these requirements reflect an increasing complexity in the aerodynamic design of the aeroplane. Others, a desire to improve the accuracy of the solutions to new and sometimes old problems.

In addition the basic difficulties raised by the fact that, strictly speaking, the aerodynamic forces and moments depend on the past as well as the present history of the motion.

A comparison is made of the aerodynamic formulations constructed from the character of the dynamics with those deduced, on the basis of a number of assumptions, from an analysis, which starts by considering the true nature of the aerodynamic forces and moments. In mathematical terms this is expressed by describing them as functionals of all the state variables.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 88 , Issue 875 , May 1984 , pp. 169 - 178
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1984 

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