The airplane trim system – new functionalities

Abstract

Purpose

A standard automatic flight control system – autopilot – will become required equipment of the future aircraft, operating in the common sky. For a specific group of aircraft, they are too expensive and too energy-consuming solutions. This paper aims to present the concept of an automatic flight control system that overcomes those limitations.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed automatic flight control system uses the trim tabs in all prime flight controlling surfaces: elevator, ailerons and rudder, for stabilizing and controlling the steady flights of an aircraft.

Findings

The results of an aeroplane flight controlled with the use of trim tabs simulation tests and remarks have been presented and discussed. The simulation was conducted in real-time hardware in the loop environment. The stabilization of the flight was achieved in performed test scenarios.

Originality/value

The possibility to control an aircraft with coordinated deflections of the trimming surfaces is a beneficial alternate to those currently used and can be recommended for use in the next-generation aircraft.

Citation

Szczepanski, C., Krawczyk, M. and Zajdel, A. (2020), "The airplane trim system – new functionalities", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 92 No. 9, pp. 1401-1406. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-12-2019-0241