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Development and Flight Test of an Emergency Flight Control System Using Only Engine Thrust on an MD-11 Transport AirplaneAn emergency flight control system that uses only engine thrust, called the propulsion-controlled aircraft (PCA) system, was developed and flight tested on an MD-11 airplane. The PCA system is a thrust-only control system, which augments pilot flightpath and track commands with aircraft feedback parameters to control engine thrust. The PCA system was implemented on the MD-11 airplane using only software modifications to existing computers. Results of a 25-hr flight test show that the PCA system can be used to fly to an airport and safely land a transport airplane with an inoperative flight control system. In up-and-away operation, the PCA system served as an acceptable autopilot capable of extended flight over a range of speeds, altitudes, and configurations. PCA approaches, go-arounds, and three landings without the use of any normal flight controls were demonstrated, including ILS-coupled hands-off landings. PCA operation was used to recover from an upset condition. The PCA system was also tested at altitude with all three hydraulic systems turned off. This paper reviews the principles of throttles-only flight control, a history of accidents or incidents in which some or all flight controls were lost, the MD-11 airplane and its systems, PCA system development, operation, flight testing, and pilot comments.
Document ID
19980210483
Acquisition Source
Armstrong Flight Research Center
Document Type
Technical Publication (TP)
Authors
Burcham, Frank W., Jr. (NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Edwards, CA United States)
Burken, John J. (NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Edwards, CA United States)
Maine, Trindel A. (NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Edwards, CA United States)
Fullerton, C. Gordon (NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Edwards, CA United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1997
Publication Information
Publisher: NASA
Subject Category
Aircraft Stability And Control
Report/Patent Number
NASA/TP-1997-206217
NAS 1.60:206217
H-2170
Report Number: NASA/TP-1997-206217
Report Number: NAS 1.60:206217
Report Number: H-2170
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 522-15-34
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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