Module-3

Lecture-15

Static Stability and Control - Elevator Control

power, Elevator Angle to trim and Estimation of
Stick Fixed Neutral Point
 Longitudinal Control

Control of the pitch attitude of the airplane can be achieved by deflecting the elevator.

Elevator Effectiveness

When the elevator is deflected, it changes the lift and the pitching moment of the airplane.
Change in lift for the airplane, ∆CL ;

∆CL = CLδe δe

where,
∂CL
CLδe =
∂δe
(CL )a/c = CLα α + CLδe δe

Similarly change in the pitching moment, ∆Cm

∆Cm = Cmδe δe

where,
∂Cm
Cmδe =
∂δe
Cmδe : Elevator Control Power

(Cm )a/c = Cmo + Cmα α + Cmδe δe

The variation of Cm with δe in presented in Figure 1. Kindly note that Slope ∂Cm /∂α
remains same when elevator is deflected.
Expression for CLδe and Cmδe The change in lift of the airplane due to deflecting the
elevator is equal to the change in lift force acting on the tail

∆L = ∆Lt = ∆CLt qt St

Let,
qt - dynamic pressure at tail
∆Lt St ∂CLt
∆CL = 1 = η δe
2
ρV 2 Sw Sw ∂δe
∂CLt
: Elevator Effectiveness
∂δe
1
 Figure 1: Graph showing relation between Cm and CL or α

The elevator effectiveness is proportional to the size of the flap being used.

∂CLt ∂CLt ∂α, t

= . = CLα,t τ
∂δe ∂α, t ∂δe

Typical value of τ lies between 0.2 to 0.6.

St ∂CLt St
∆CL = η δe = ηCLα,t τ δe
Sw ∂δe Sw
St
⇒ CLδe = ηCLα,t τ (1)
Sw
The increment in pitching moment, ∆Cm
 
lt St lt
∆Cm = −∆CL = − ηCLα,t τ δe
c̄ Sw c̄
 
St lt
∆Cm = − ηCLα,t τ δe
Sw c̄

⇒ Cmδe = −VH ηCLα,t τ (2)

This is known as elevator control power.

2
 Elevator angle to trim

An aircraft is said to be trimmed if the net forces and moments acting on the airplane
are zero.
Cm = Cmo + Cmα α + Cmδe δe

At trim, Cm = 0
0 = Cmo + Cmα αtrim + Cmδe δetrim

The lift coefficient at trim is CLtrim

CLtrim = CLα αtrim + CLδe (δe)trim

[CLtrim − CLδe (δe)trim ]

αtrim = (3)
CLα
Combining αtrim and CLtrim equations,
We have  
Cmo CLα + Cmα CLtrim
δetrim =
Cmδe CLα − Cmα CLδe
or
Cmα
Cmo C
CLα Ltrim
δetrim = − −
Cmδe − CCmL α CLδe Cmδe − CCmL α CLδe
α α

Assuming,
Cmα
CL  Cmδe
CLα δe
We have,
Cmα
Cmo C
CLα Ltrim
δetrim =− −
Cmδe Cmδe
Cm α ∂Cm
=
CLα ∂CL
so !
∂Cm
Cm o ∂CL
δetrim = − − CLtrim (4)
Cmδe Cmδe
 
∂δe
(δe)trim = δeo + CL
∂CL trim trim
where
Cmo
δeo = −
Cmδe
m ∂C
∂δe ∂C
=− L
∂CLtrim Cmδe

3
  
∂δe
δetrim = δeo + CLtrim (5)
∂CLtrim
This equation can be used to estimate the value of elevator deflection required to trim a
given aircraft at a particular CLtrim

Estimation of Neutral Point (Stick Fixed)

 
∂δe
δetrim = δeo + CLtrim
∂CLtrim
m ∂C
∂δetrim ∂CL
=−
∂CLtrim Cmδe
Neutral point is the c.g. location at which ∂Cm /∂CL = 0
Therefore, at neutral point,

∂δetrim
=0
∂CLtrim

Flight test to estimate Stick Fixed Neutral Point

Above equation can be used to estimate stick fixed neutral point.

• Fly at different center of gravity configuration and execute cruise

• Estimate corresponding
2W/S
CLtrim = 1
2
ρV 2
and record δe

• Plot δetrim v/s CLtrim

• Cross plot [∂δe/∂CL ]trim v/s x̄cg to get neutral point.

+
no x̄ cg
x̄ cg =0.4
x̄ cg =0.4 d δe
x̄ cg =0.3
δ e trim dC L
CL trim
x̄ cg =0.2

− x̄ cg =0.2 x̄ cg =0.3