Nonlinear flight dynamics studies of airliner upset by Mark Lowenberg (University of Bristol)

The presentation will start with some background into the basic principles of nonlinear flight dynamics, followed by a description of airliner upset and loss-of-control problems: their relevance, how they are manifested and potential causes. Then continuation methods and bifurcation analysis will be introduced as a means of studying nonlinear dynamical systems. A couple of wide-envelope airliner mathematical models, generated at NASA Langley for upset/loss-of-control studies, will be described. Their behaviour will then be investigated using bifurcation methods, highlighting both the benefits of this technique and some of the interesting dynamics that can arise - both open-loop and closed-loop. Finally, an experimental approach being developed at the University of Bristol to explore the onset of upset conditions in a wind tunnel will be discussed.