Design and Theoretical Assessment of Experimental Glide Path and Flare Systems

SUMMARY Two experimental glide path and flare systems are described, one using spoilers installed in the aircraft to provide direct lift control. The various longitudinal control modes, altitude hold, glide path and flare, have similar feedback control gains whose values were determined by parameter optimisation. An assessment of the performance of these two systems is described. Using elevator and throttle control only, there was little improvement over current flare systems, but use of high gain direct lift control can give significant improvement.