Lateral Dynamics

Review
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State Space Form

𝑌𝛽 𝑌𝑝 𝑌𝑟 𝑔 0 𝑌𝛿𝑟
∆𝛽ሶ − 1− ∆𝛽
𝑢0 𝑢0 𝑢0 𝑢0 ∆𝑝 𝑢0
∆𝑝ሶ ∆𝛿𝑎
= 𝐿𝛽 𝐿𝑝 𝐿𝑟 0 ∆𝑟 + 𝐿𝛿𝑎 𝐿𝛿𝑟
∆𝛿𝑟
∆𝑟ሶ 0 𝑁𝛿𝑎
∆𝜑ሶ 𝑁𝛽 𝑁𝑝 𝑁𝑟 ∆𝜑 𝑁𝛿𝑟
0 1 0 0 0 0

If 𝐼𝑥𝑧 = 0

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Modes

Roots composed of two real roots and a pair

of complex roots
Airplane response characterized by following
motions:
a slowly convergent or divergent motion, called
the spiral mode
a highly convergent motion, called the rolling
mode
a lightly damped oscillatory motion having a low
frequency, called the Dutch roll mode

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Spiral Mode

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Roll Mode

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Roll Mode

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Dutch Roll

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Dutch Roll Mode

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Example

 Boeing 747 aircraft at its Mach 0.25 power approach

configuration at standard sea-level conditions.
 Flight Conditions:

 Relevant Aerodynamic Coefficients:

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Example

Dimensional Stability Derivatives:

Plant Matrix:

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Example

 Characteristic Equation:

 Roots:

DR: Dutch Roll mode

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Increase of Weathercock Stability

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Increase of Dihedral Effect

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Summary

1. A rolling mode that usually is heavily damped, whose time

to damp to half amplitude is determined largely by the roll
damping 𝐿𝑝 .
2. A spiral mode that usually is only lightly damped, or may
even be unstable. Dihedral effect is an important stabilizing
influence, while weathercock stability is destabilizing for this
mode.
3. A lightly damped oscillatory, intermediate frequency
Dutch Roll mode, which consists of a coordinated yawing,
rolling, side-slipping motion. For this mode, dihedral effect is
generally destabilizing, while weathercock stability is
stabilizing.

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Rolling Mode Approximation

∆𝑝ሶ = 𝐿𝑝 ∆𝑝

λ = 𝐿𝑝

The magnitude of Roll damping 𝐿𝑝 is determined

significantly by the wing surface. Tail also
contributes.

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Spiral Mode Approximation
 The spiral mode is characterized by changes in bank
angle 𝜑 and heading angle 𝜓, but the aerodynamic
moments depend instead on sideslip angle 𝛽, roll rate 𝑝,
and yawing rate 𝑟. To obtain an approximation of the
spiral mode, we neglect the side force equation and Δ𝜑:

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Dutch Roll Approximation
Since the Dutch roll mode consists primarily of
sideslipping and yawing motions, we neglect the
rolling moment equation:
𝑌𝛽 𝑌𝑟
∆𝛽ሶ = 𝑢 − 1− ∆𝛽
0 𝑢0
∆𝑟ሶ ∆𝑟
𝑁𝛽 𝑁𝑟

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Modes Approximation
 Roll Mode 1
𝑇𝑅 = −
𝐿𝑝
 Spiral Mode
𝐿𝑟 𝑁𝛽 𝐿𝛽
Δ𝑟ሶ = 𝑁𝑟 − 𝛥𝑟 𝑇𝑆 = −
𝐿𝛽 𝐿𝛽𝑁𝑟 − 𝐿𝑟 𝑁𝛽
𝐿𝛽𝑁𝑟 − 𝐿𝑟 𝑁𝛽
𝜆=
𝐿𝛽
 Dutch Roll Mode 𝜔𝑛𝐷𝑅 =
𝑌𝛽 𝑁𝑟 − 𝑁𝛽 𝑌𝑟 + 𝑢0 𝑁𝛽
𝑢0
𝑌𝛽 𝑌𝑟 1 𝑌𝛽 + 𝑢0 𝑁𝑟
∆𝛽ሶ = 𝑢 − 1− ∆𝛽 𝜁𝐷𝑅 =−
0 𝑢0 2𝜔𝑛𝐷𝑅 𝑢0
∆𝑟ሶ ∆𝑟
𝑁𝛽 𝑁𝑟
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