Assignment Cover Sheet

School of Digital, Technology, Innovation and

Business
Department of Engineering

Module Name: Flight Dynamics

Module Number: TRAN52013

Title of Assignment: Aircraft Pitch Control

Module Learning Outcomes for This Assignment

Apply the concepts of aeronautical performance using mathematical Learning,

tools Knowledge and
Understanding
Solve a diverse range of problems in the fields of flight vehicle motion Problem
and stability Solving,
Application
Analyse the control and dynamic behaviour of aircraft subjected to Analysis
control inputs or atmospheric conditions

AHEP Learning Outcomes for This Assignment

SM1b Knowledge and Understanding of scientific principles and methodology

necessary to underpin their education in their engineering discipline and to
enable appreciation of its scientific and engineering context, and to support
their understanding of relevant historical, current and future developments and
technologies.
SM2b Knowledge and Understanding of mathematical and statistical methods
necessary to underpin their education in their engineering discipline and to
enable them to apply mathematical and statistical methods, tools and
notations proficiently in the analysis and solution of engineering problems.
EA1b Understanding of engineering principles and the ability to apply them to analyse
key engineering processes
EA2 Ability to identify, classify and describe the performance of systems and
components through the use of analytical methods and modelling techniques.
EA3b Ability to apply quantitative and computational methods in order to solve
engineering problems and to implement appropriate action
P4 Understanding of the use of technical literature and other information sources
P8 Ability to work with technical uncertainty
Hand in deadline: 28th April 2025, 23:59 via Blackboard

Assignment criteria
See assessment details in main assignment, which follows.

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University of Staffordshire
School of Digital, Technology, I nnovation and Business
Departm ent of Engineering

TRAN52013 Flight Dynamics

Module Leader: Dr Siva Marimuthu [email protected]

Hand in deadline: 28th April 2025, 23:59 via Blackboard

Word limit: 1500

Assignment

In this coursework, you will need to design an automated controller that

controls the pitch of an aircraft and submit a technical report based on the
(aircraft performance, stability and control) work that you have done within the
given timeline.

Aircraft pitch is governed by longitudinal dynamics. The following requirements

are set for the aircraft pitch control report:

1. Calculate the elevator deflection angle (𝜹𝜹, in radians) for the

aircraft given below.
 Stick force = 2 N
 Stick length = 0.4 m
 Stick deflection angle = 0.5 radians (28.6479 degrees)
 Hinge moment = 2 Nm

To answer question 1, you need to carry out the below

mentioned procedures in MATLAB.

a) Search and identify the formula for the elevator deflection angle
b) Code the calculation in the MATLAB using =, *, /, and more
symbols (if required).
c) Round off the calculated 𝛿𝛿 (in radians) to 1 decimal value.

2. Design an automated feedback controller so that in response to

a step command of pitch angle (𝜽𝜽), the actual pitch angle,
 overshoots less than 15%,
 has a rise time of less than 2 seconds,
 a settling time of less than 10 seconds and
 Steady-state error less than 2%.

To answer question 2, you need to carry out the below

mentioned procedures in SIMULINK.

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 a) Simulate an open loop response for the commercial aircraft based
on the transfer function (given below) and the calculated elevator
deflection angle (rounded off, in radians) from question 1.

We will assume that the aircraft is in steady-cruise at constant

altitude and velocity; thus, the thrust, drag, weight and lift forces
balance each other in the x- and y-directions. We will also assume
that a change in pitch angle will not change the speed of the
aircraft under any circumstance (unrealistic but simplifies the
problem a bit). Under these assumptions, the longitudinal
equations of motion for the aircraft can be written as follows.

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𝛼𝛼̇ = 𝜇𝜇Ω𝜎𝜎 �−(𝐶𝐶𝐿𝐿 + 𝐶𝐶𝐷𝐷 )𝛼𝛼 + 𝑞𝑞 − (𝐶𝐶𝑊𝑊 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠)𝜃𝜃 + 𝐶𝐶𝐿𝐿 �
(𝜇𝜇 − 𝐶𝐶𝐿𝐿 )
𝜇𝜇Ω
𝑞𝑞̇ = �[𝐶𝐶 − 𝜂𝜂 (𝐶𝐶𝐿𝐿 + 𝐶𝐶𝐷𝐷 )]𝛼𝛼 + [𝐶𝐶𝑀𝑀 + 𝜎𝜎𝐶𝐶𝑀𝑀 (1 − 𝜇𝜇𝐶𝐶𝐿𝐿 )�𝑞𝑞 + (𝜂𝜂𝐶𝐶𝑊𝑊 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠)𝛿𝛿]
2𝑖𝑖𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦 𝑀𝑀
𝜃𝜃̇ = Ω𝑞𝑞

𝛼𝛼̇ −0.313 56.7 0 𝛼𝛼 0.232

� 𝑞𝑞̇ � = �−0.0139 −0.426 0� � 𝑞𝑞 � + �0.0203� [𝛿𝛿]
𝜃𝜃̇ 0 56.7 0 𝜃𝜃 0

𝛼𝛼
𝑦𝑦 = [0 0 1] � 𝑞𝑞 �
𝜃𝜃

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
= 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 + 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

𝑦𝑦 = 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 + 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷

Please look at the last page for information on notations.

Note 1:
 Step block (from Simulink/Sources library), State-space
block (from Simulink/Continuous library), Demux block
(from Simulink/Signal library), Terminator block (from

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 Simulink/Sinks library) and Scope (from Simulink/Math
Operations library) are required to generate an open-loop
response for 2(a).

 The final value (in step block) is the result obtained from
question 1.

 The A matrix (in state-space block) needs to be entered

using the matrix given below.

−0.313 56.7 0
�−0.0139 −0.426 0�
0 56.7 0

 The B matrix (in state-space block) needs to be entered

using the matrix given below.

0.232
�0.0203�
0

 The C matrix (in state-space block) needs to be entered

as a 3x3 identity matrix using the ‘eye(3)’ command
rather than [0 0 1] as given in the original state-space
equations.
 The D matrix (in state-space block) needs to be entered
as [0;0;0].

b) Investigate the feedback loop (simulated in question 2(a)) by

adding a disturbance.

Note 2:
 Next to the Step block, include two Sum blocks (from the
Simulink/Math Operations library).
 Input feedback from ‘theta (pitch angle)’ to the first Sum
block.
 Add and subtract the inputs in the first Sum block using
the signs I+-
 Add the inputs in the second Sum block using the signs
++I
 Split the outputs from the first Sum block into two (to the
second Sum block and Scope, separately).
 Add disturbance to the second Sum block using a new Step
block of step time ‘3’ and the same final value.

c) Install a PID tuner to control the disturbance based on the

transfer function given below.

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 𝐾𝐾𝑖𝑖 𝑁𝑁
𝐶𝐶(𝑠𝑠) = 𝐾𝐾𝑃𝑃 + + 𝐾𝐾𝑑𝑑 𝑠𝑠
𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑠 + 𝑁𝑁
Note 3:
 Add a PID controller (from Simulink/Continuous library)
between the first Sum block and its output to Scope (and
before the second Sum block).

 Within the PID controller, choose ‘limit output’ and ‘ignore

saturation when linearizing’ options. Also, specify the
upper and lower limits as ±0.4363 and select ‘clamping’
under the anti-windup method drop-down list box.

 Tune the PID controller (response time = 0.0894, transient

behaviour = 0.6) to attain the required attributes within
the limits specified such as overshoot, rise time, settling
time and steady-state error.

Submission

Submit the technical report with the below mentioned template.

Summary
1. Introduction
2. Problem Definition
3. Elevator Deflection Angle
4. Automated Feedback Controller
4.1. Open loop response
4.2. Closed loop response and Disturbance
4.3. Closed loop response, Disturbance and PID tuner
5. Technical Discussion
6. Conclusion
7. References

In summary, include in short, the background, purpose, approach used and

results obtained. The Introduction section must have detailed background
information. The answer to the question ‘why aircraft pitch control is required?’
must be presented under the problem definition section. The importance of the
elevator deflection angle, relevant typed-in formula, detailed calculation
procedure and screenshot(s) of the calculation codes done in MATLAB, should
be presented within the elevator deflection angle section. The different
functions of the blocks used, the design procedure and the output generated
against the design requirements mentioned in question 2, must be explained
under the section named open loop response with the use of design and output
SIMULINK screenshots. The reason for adding the Sum blocks and a
disturbance, their functions, design procedure and discussion on the output
obtained against design requirements with the help of design and output

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SIMULINK screenshots, must be included under 4.2. Use of a PID controller,
tuning, detailed design procedure and discussion on the output obtained
against design requirements with the help of design and output SIMULINK
screenshots, must be presented under 4.3. Analysis of the MCAS issue and use
of an automatic pitch controller must be discussed, technically, in detail, under
section 5. The conclusion should provide the answers to the questions asked in
this assignment. Harvard style citation and referencing preferred.

To pass this coursework, you must complete all the above-mentioned tasks and
include them in the report. For question 1, the required values are given. For
question 2, a detailed procedure is provided. You are allowed to add more
technical sections/calculations/elements/discussions to your report, if required.
You are not allowed to use the works of your peers in the report.

You must include the MATLAB codes (typed-in), SIMULINK blocks

(screenshot), signals (screenshot) and dialogue boxes (screenshot),
wherever necessary. All the figures and formulas/equations (typed-in) must
be numbered/named and explained in the main text.

To obtain a high mark, you must use a wide range of resources, identify the
key innovations and implement those ideas in the design development, and cite
them correctly. It is important that much of the report must be your own words,
thoughts, calculations, analysis, discussions, and conclusions.

You must submit the assignment electronically via blackboard before the
deadline. The file will be subsequently reviewed through plagiarism detection
software. Your name shouldn't appear within the assignment, as we mark it
anonymously. The standard university plagiarism policy applies in referencing
content.

This assignment contributes to 40% of the total module marks.

Marking and Rubric

Elem ent of Assessm ent M ark W eighting to overall M ark
for the Assignm ent
Summary (150 words) 10 %
Introduction (150 words) 10 %
Problem Definition (50 words) 5%
Elevator deflection angle 10 %
4.1. Open loop response 12.5 %
4.2. Closed loop response and 12.5 %
Disturbance
4.3. Closed loop response, 15 %
Disturbance and PID tuner
Technical Discussion (200 words) 15 %
Conclusion (50 words) 5%
References 5%

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Notations:

𝛼𝛼 = Angle of attack. 𝐶𝐶𝑇𝑇 = Coefficient of thrust.

q = Pitch rate. 𝐶𝐶𝐷𝐷 = Coefficient of drag.
𝜃𝜃 = Pitch angle. 𝐶𝐶𝐿𝐿 = Coefficient of lift.
𝛿𝛿= Elevator deflection angle. 𝐶𝐶𝑊𝑊 = Coefficient of weight.
𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌𝑐𝑐̅ 𝐶𝐶𝑀𝑀 = Coefficient of pitch moment.
𝜇𝜇 =
4𝑚𝑚 𝛾𝛾 = Flight path angle.
𝜌𝜌 = Density of air. 1
𝜎𝜎 = = Constant.
S = Planform area of the wing. 1+𝜇𝜇𝐶𝐶𝐿𝐿

𝐶𝐶̅ = Average chord length. 𝑖𝑖𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦 = Normalized moment of inertia.

m = Mass of the aircraft. 𝜂𝜂 = 𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇𝐶𝐶𝑀𝑀 = Constant.
2𝑈𝑈 N - Filter coefficient
Ω= K – Feedback gain
𝑐𝑐̅
U = Equilibrium flight speed.