Design of nonlinear automatic flight control systems

A method for the synthesis of nonlinear automatic flight control systems is developed, and the performance of a control system synthesized by use of this method is compared to the performance of control system designed by use of linear quadratic optimal control theory. Comparisons are made on the basis of aircraft dynamic response at high angles of attack. It is found that the nonlinear controller reduces the altitude loss during stall and increases the magnitude of the angle of attack for which the aircraft can recover from stall.