Introduction

The underlying premise of this book is that flight dynamics and control is a central discipline, at the heart of aeronautics, linking the aerodynamic and structural sciences with the applied technologies of systems and avionics and, above all, with the pilot. Flight dynamics engineers need to have breadth and depth in their domain of interest, and often hold a special responsibility in design and research departments. It is asserted that more than any other aerospace discipline, flight dynamics offers a viewpoint on, and is connected to, the key rotorcraft attributes and technologies – from the detailed fluid dynamics associated with the interaction of the main rotor wake with the empen­nage, to the servo-aeroelastic couplings between the rotor and control system, through to the evaluation of enhanced safety, operational advantage and mission effectiveness of good flying qualities. It is further asserted that the multidisciplinary nature of ro­torcraft flight dynamics places it in a unique position to hold the key to concurrency in requirements capture and design, i. e., the ability to optimize under the influence of multiple constraints. In the author’s view, the role of the practising flight dynamics engineer is therefore an important one and there is a need for guidebooks and practi­tioner’s manuals to the subject to assist in the development of the required skills and knowledge. This book is an attempt at such a manual, and it discusses flight dynamics under two main headings – simulation modelling and flying qualities. The importance of good simulation fidelity and robust flying qualities criteria in the requirements cap­ture and design phases of a new project cannot be overstated, and this theme will be expanded upon later in this chapter and throughout the book. Together, these attributes underpin confidence in decision making during the high-risk early design phase and are directed towards the twin goals of achieving super-safe flying qualities and getting designs right, first time. These goals have motivated much of the research conducted in government research laboratories, industry and universities for several decades.

In this short general Introduction, the aim is to give the reader a qualitative appreciation of the two main subjects – simulation modelling and flying qualities. The topics that come within the scope of flight dynamics are also addressed briefly, but are not covered in the book for various reasons. Finally, a brief ‘roadmap’ to the seven technical chapters is presented.