Stability and Control Analysis of a Human Powered Aircraft
Open Access
- Author:
- Blasco, Peter Michael
- Area of Honors:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Dr. Mark David Maughmer, Thesis Supervisor
Dr. Mark David Maughmer, Thesis Honors Advisor
Joseph Francis Horn, Faculty Reader
Dr. George A Lesieutre, Faculty Reader - Keywords:
- human power
stability
control
lateral
dynamics
analysis
Zephyrus
HPA
flight path
aircraft
sailplane - Abstract:
- The Royal Aeronautical Society currently offers a reward entitled the Kremer Prize to the first team to fly a specific mission using a human powered aircraft. The flight course and special requirements of this mission create a unique design challenge in that the aircraft must be fast and maneuverable while still flying solely under human power. A team from Penn State has designed and fabricated an aircraft for this mission. Initial performance estimates determined the design of the aircraft, but a more detailed analysis of the stability and control is necessary to ensure that the aircraft can successfully complete the mission. The stability and control characteristics of this aircraft are presented in tandem with the flight path control requirements. This stability analysis includes calculation of performance characteristics of the aircraft, flight path analysis to find maneuverability requirements, and a stability study to prove aircraft maneuverability. Dihedral of the flexible wing is found to provide critical stability characteristics to make required turns without the use of ailerons. The results of the analysis validate the aircraft’s ability to complete the Kremer Prize mission.