Ground-Based Simulation of Airplane Upset Using an Enhanced Flight Model

Loss-of-control resulting from airplane upset is a leading cause of worldwide commercial aircraft accidents. One of the upset prevention and recovery strategies currently being considered is to provide pilot upset recovery training using ground-based flight simulators. However, to simulate the large amplitude and highly dynamic motions seen in upset conditions, both the flight model and the simulator motion need improvement.;In this thesis, an enhanced flight model is developed to better represent the air-craft dynamics in upset conditions. In particular, extension is made to the aerodynamic database of an existing Boeing 747-100 (B-747) model to cover large angle of attack, sideslip and angular rates. The enhanced B-747 model is then used to conduct a set of upset recovery experiments in a flight simulator without motion. The experimental results can be used to identify and potentially correct major motion cueing errors caused by the conventional motion drive algorithm in upset conditions.