Linear quadratic optimal model-following control of a helicopter in hover

Presented are results of a study of the application of linear quadratic optimal model-following control applied to a Bell 205 helicopter in hover, The primary objective of good in-flight stability robustness and performance was accomplished via singular value analysis using perturbed systems. Nominal aircraft models were compared with experimental data and discrepancies quantified in a robustness criterion. Current military handling quality requirements were specified as a target model to be followed. The linear quadratic optimal control and command feedforward was found suitable for these requirements. Design analyses enabled consideration of the tuning process, where effects of variations in selected tuning parameters demonstrated their sensitivity to the design.