Computation of flight mechanics parameters using continuation techniques. AIAA Paper 99-4318

A new approach is presented for the computation of13; continuation diagrams. It differs in principle from13; the usual approach of continuing the equilibrium13; points by considering one or more of the controls as13; continuation parameters and with the other controls13; held fixed. The novel approach addresses the13; problem of flight dynamics from the pilot point of13; view by allowing all the controls to be freely13; determined. At the same time some of the states are13; so constrained that along the continuation curve a13; particular pilot trim condition is maintained.13; With the new approach, continuation techniques can13; be extended to a much wider range of applications13; usually associated with the computation of flight13; mechanics parameters for control law design and13; aircraft performance calculations. It is shown with13; the example of a level flight equilibrium13; continuation, how numerical continuation methods13; can be used effectively in the simultaneous13; computation of equilibrium points for control design13; as well as particular performance measures