Horizontal control effector sizing for high speed civil transport

This paper discusses the development of a numerical tool that determines the dynamic horizontal control effector sizing criteria for given high-speed civil transport dynamic model. This criteria includes computing the maximum cg travel for a range of control effector sizes and actuator motion constraints, while guaranteeing an existence of a feedback controller that will recover from a severe gust without exceeding actuator amplitude and rate limits and satisfy other dynamic requirements. The key idea is to formulate these constraints in terms of linear matrix inequalities. This tool is termed the Tail Sizing Design Tool. In addition, the paper illustrates the application of the tool to measuring the effect of adding a second horizontal control surface in the form of a canard. The capability to measure the effect of simple, symmetric, flexible motion of the vehicle is also addressed. Based on numerical analysis of designs, conclusions are drawn on the relative effectiveness of the use of canards, the use of static versus dynamic controllers, and on the inclusion of aeroelastic effects