HANDLING QUALITIES CRITERIA
Handling qualities criteria (HQC) depend on several factors [1]: type of aircraft, flight phase, and control system-aircraft characteristics. Airplanes are classified as
Class I: Small, light
Class II: Medium weight, low-to-medium maneuverability
Class III: Large, heavy, low-to-medium maneuverability
Class IV: High maneuverability
Flight operation phases are categorized as
Phase A: Nonterminal flight that requires rapid maneuvering, precision
tracking, or precise flight path control.
Phase B: Nonterminal flight that is normally accomplished using gradual,
moderate maneuvers and without precision tracking, although accurate flight path control may be required.
Phase C: Terminal flight that is normally accomplished using gradual man
euvers and usually requires accurate flight path control. This comprises takeoff, approach, and landing.
Flying qualities level of acceptability related to the ability to complete the mission are also predefined as
Level 1: Flying qualities clearly adequate for the flight phase of the mission.
Level 2: Flying qualities adequate to accomplish the mission flight phase, but
there would exist an increase in pilot workload or degradation in mission effectiveness, or both.
Level 3: Flying qualities such that the airplane can be controlled safely, but
pilot workload is excessive or mission effectiveness is inadequate or both are possible. Category flight phase A can be terminated safely and category flight phases B and C can be completed.
Primarily, the HQ criteria would be evaluated using mathematical models of the airplane as well as of the pilot/control systems. The quantitative requirements of the specifications are given in terms of parameters of a linear model of the aircraft. In the case of control system nonlinearities/HO response of the flight control-aircraft combination, an equivalent mathematical model would be defined. For all types of models the requirements in terms of frequency, damping ratio, and phase angles would apply. Some of these criteria are described next [6-26]. In fact Ref. [8] describes several HQC for fixed-wing aircraft and their rationale, algorithms (formulae, etc.), criteria requirements, and guide for application. However, Ref. [27] described an integrated handling qualities software (HQSW) package for rotorcraft and fixed-wing aircraft, with more emphasis on the former.