CHAPTER 6

FLYING QUALITIES
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

6.1. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................
6.2. STABILITY..........................................................................................................................................
6.2.1. Static Stability..........................................................................................................................
6.2.2. Dynamic Stability.....................................................................................................................
6.3. LONGITUDINAL STABILITY................................................................................................................
6.4. LATERAL - DIRECTIONAL STABILITY................................................................................................
6.4.1. Lateral - Directional Static Stability........................................................................................
6.4.2. Lateral - Directional Dynamic Stability – Dutch Roll..............................................................
6.5. STABILITY AUGMENTATION SYSTEM (SAS)...................................................................................
6.6. ACCEPTANCE FLIGHT TESTS............................................................................................................
6.7. ASYMMETRIC FLIGHT.....................................................................................................................
6.8. COOPER-HARPER SCALE.................................................................................................................
6.9. CERTIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS..........................................................................................................
6.10. REFERENCES...............................................................................................................................
 CHAPTER 6

FLYING QUALITIES

6.1. INTRODUCTION

Each aircraft handles to some extent differently because each one resists or responds
to control inputs in its own way. For example, a fighter aircraft is quick to respond to
pilot’s commands, while a transport aircraft feels heavy on the wheel and responds
sluggish to control applications. These features can be designed to facilitate the
mission of the aircraft by considering certain stability and maneuvering requirements.

The following discussion summarizes the more important aspects of an aircraft’s

stability, maneuverability and controllability qualities; how they are analyzed; and their
relationship to various flight conditions.

Before we begin to discuss the flying qualities of an aircraft, let us remember some
definitions.

The axes of an aircraft are three imaginary lines that pass through an aircraft’s CG
(displaced by 90 degrees) and around which the aircraft turns. The axis from nose to
tail is the longitudinal axis, the axis that passes from wingtip to wingtip is the lateral
axis, and the axis that passes vertically through the CG is the vertical axis. Whenever
an aircraft changes its attitude or position in flight, its movement can be referenced to
one or more of these three axes. Stability and control will deal with these movements.
 Figure 6.1 Axes of an airplane

6.2. STABILITY

Stability is the inherent quality of an aircraft to correct for conditions that may disturb
its equilibrium and to return to or to continue on the original flight path. It is primarily
an aircraft design characteristic. The flight paths and attitudes an aircraft flies are
limited by the aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraft, its propulsion system, and its
structural strength. These limitations indicate the maximum performance and
maneuverability of the aircraft. If the aircraft is to provide maximum utility, it must be
safely controllable fully of these limits without exceeding the pilot’s strength or
requiring exceptional flying ability. If an aircraft is to fly straight and steady along any
arbitrary flight path, the forces acting on it must be in static equilibrium. The reaction
of any body when its equilibrium is disturbed is referred to as stability. The stability
shall be analyzed under two aspects:

 static stability and

 dynamic stability

6.2.1. Static Stability

Static stability refers to the initial tendency, or direction of movement, back to

equilibrium. In aviation, it refers to the aircraft’s initial response when disturbed from
a given AOA, slip, or bank.

 Positive static stability—the initial tendency of the aircraft to return to the original state of
equilibrium after being disturbed (Figure 6.2a);

 Neutral static stability—the initial tendency of the aircraft to remain in a new condition
after its equilibrium has been disturbed (Figure 6.2b);

 Negative static stability—the initial tendency of the aircraft to continue away from the
original state of equilibrium after being disturbed (Figure 6.2c).

The Figure 6.2 illustrates those concepts pictorially.

 Figure 6.2: Degrees of static stability

6.2.2. Dynamic Stability

Static stability has been defined as the initial tendency to return to equilibrium that the
aircraft displays after being disturbed from its trimmed condition. Occasionally, the
initial tendency is different or opposite from the overall tendency, so a distinction must
be made between the two.

Dynamic stability refers to the aircraft response over time when disturbed from a given
AOA, slip, or bank. This type of stability also has three subtypes or levels: (Figure 6.3).

 Positive dynamic stability—over time, the motion of the displaced vehicle decreases in
amplitude and, because of this tendency, the vehicle returns toward the equilibrium state
(damped oscillation #1).

 Neutral dynamic stability—once displaced, the aircraft neither decreases nor

increases in amplitude. For instance, a worn automobile shock absorber exhibits
this tendency (undamped oscillation #2).

 Negative dynamic stability—over time, the motion of the displaced object

increases and becomes more divergent (divergent oscillation #3).
 Figure 6.3: Levels of dynamic stability

Stability in an aircraft affects two flight characteristics significantly:

 Maneuverability — the quality of an aircraft that permits it to be maneuvered easily and

to withstand the stresses imposed by maneuvers. It is governed by the aircraft’s weight,
inertia, size and characteristics of flight controls, structural strength, and powerplant. It is
also an aircraft design parameter.

 Controllability — the capability of an aircraft to respond to the pilot’s control,

especially with regard to flight path and attitude. It is the quality of the aircraft’s
response to the pilot’s control application when maneuvering the aircraft,
regardless of its stability characteristics.