In this paper, we present a methodology using bifurcation analysis and nonlinear control techniques to design aircraft maneuvers. As an illustrative example, maneuvering of an aircraft from a steady level flight to level turn flights is attempted. A constrained bifurcation analysis based procedure is used to determine the level flight and level turn steady states for an F-18/HARV model. Using the available states from bifurcation analysis results as setpoints, a Nonlinear Dynamic Inversion (NDI) technique based controller is designed to perform the closed loop simulation of a constant speed, level, coordinated turn maneuver from a straight and level flight to the maximum sustained turn rate flight conditions. Successful implementation of the technique while satisfying the prescribed constraints shows usefulness of the approach
