Application of Electronics to Aircraft Flight Control

In automatic flight control, as in other control problems, the limit of flight accuracy through mechanical and electrical controlling methods seems to have been reached. Only by the application of electronic-control principles has it been possible sible to set new standards and to achieve full flexibility of control with completely automatic operation of all control functions. Furthermore, these advantages have been obtained with actual reductions in the total weight of equipment. Since the use of an automatic pilot for precision bombing imposes complex and rigid requirements which are not encountered in commercial aeronautics, it can be confidently stated that the continued development of electronic controls will produce a small lightweight, foolproof automatic pilot for peacetime use. Because of the precision bombardment Autopilot, the control industry is certainly richer in knowledge and experience, and will be better able to cope with the new problems of peacetime industry. Although the connection now seems obscure, some of the applications in the development of the type C-1 Autopilot were taken from a cabin-temperature-control system. In a similar way, the principles employed in both systems have been found useful in the automatic regulation of engine power. And so, in a seemingly endless chain, each new development brings to light the solution of another problem. Who knows what application these same developments will find in enlarging the prosperity, health, and happiness of a peaceful world?