INERTIAL ENERGY-DISTRIBUTION ERROR CONTROL FOR OPTIMAL WIND-SHEAR PENETRATION

The principle of inertial energy distribution error control for optimal airplane microburst wind-shear penetration was developed, and a controller based on this principle was tested for its robustness in a realistic environment. A Monte Carlo approach together with a nonlinear simulation of a takeoff flight condition was used to evaluate system performance. Statistical models for the microburst strength, size, and location were used for the Monte Carlo simulation. A microburst-specific controller, based on a minimax height-loss performance index, was used in the Monte Carlo simulation as a reference controller. These trajectory results were compared with those of the controller based on an inertial energy distribution error performance index. The results obtained demonstrated two important concepts: 1) It is important to distribute inertial energy error equally between potential energy and inertial kinetic energy of the airplane system to minimize height losses. 2) Minimization of height loss results in maintaining an approximately constant inertial speed.