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Flight Investigation of Gyroplane Longitudinal Flight Dynamics
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Abstract
This Paper presents an analysis of test data recorded during flight trials of a gyroplane. This class of rotarywing
aircraft has found limited application in areas other than sport or recreational flying. However, the accident
rate is such that a study of the configuration's stability and control characteristics is timely, and in addition
substantive data is required for a new airworthiness and design standard that is under development. The Paper
presents a unique coupling of established parameter estimation techniques with data from a class of aircraft that
has received no attention in the contemporary literature. As a consequence, the Paper helps to consolidate the
status of system identification as a powerful tool in the analysis of rotorcraft engineering problems. It is concluded
that robust estimates of the longitudinal stability and control derivatives have been identified, indicating benign
and "classical" longitudinal stability and control characteristics. However, unlike most helicopters, the rotorspeed
degree of freedom must be included in the model structure