A Method for PIO Suppression in Aircraft with Fly-By-Wire Controls: System Development and Validation via Flight Simulator Tests

Authors

  • Rafael Morales Miranda Universidade de São Paulo – Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos – Departamento de Engenharia Aeronáutica – São Carlos/SP – Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4861-0742
  • Jorge Henrique Bidinotto Universidade de São Paulo – Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos – Departamento de Engenharia Aeronáutica – São Carlos/SP – Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5352-2326

Keywords:

Pilot-induced oscillation, Fly-by-wire, Adaptive control, Real-time operation

Abstract

This article introduces a technique for suppressing pilot-induced oscillations (PIO) in aircraft equipped with fly-by-wire (FBW) flight controls. Drawing from the real-time oscillation verifier (ROVER) concept proposed by Mitchell and Hoh, in 1994, and an adaptive suppression system by Moura in 2018, the method involves dynamically adjusting stability derivatives via software during aircraft operation. The ROVER detects PIO conditions during flight, directing changes to the aircraft’s dynamics. Switching to a less susceptible model during PIO mitigates oscillations. The study focuses exclusively on longitudinal motion and pitch angle control. The proposed system is implemented and simulated using MATLAB routines, complemented by human pilot trials on a flight simulator. Results demonstrate real-time detection of PIO oscillations and effective mitigation, ensuring system integrity with acceptable degradation in flight qualities during transitions.


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Published

2025-02-10

Issue

Vol. 17 (2025)

Section

Review Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Rafael Morales Miranda, Jorge Henrique Bidinotto

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons — Attribution 4.0 International — CC BY 4.0. Authors are free to Share (copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format) and Adapt (remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially). JATM allow the authors to retain publishing rights without restrictions.