Nonlinear dynamics of aircraft ground handling
J. Rankin (University of Bristol, UK), B. Krauskopf Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol ), M. Lowenberg (Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Bristol), E. Coetzee (Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol / Landing Gear Group, Airbus UK ) and S. Sharma (Landing Gear Group, Airbus UK )
We present work developing an improved understanding of the dynamics an aircraft manoeuvring on the ground, ultimately aimed at optimisation and automation of ground operations. Using a nonlinear computer model of a typical airliner, we apply numerical continuation to investigate turning manoeuvres, with emphasis on lateral stability. We present a bifurcation analysis to describe the underlying structure that governs the dynamics of turning manoeuvres across the steering angle-thrust parameter space. The results provide a detailed explanation of the behaviour when lateral stability is lost, and the bifurcation diagrams identify parameter regions for which this undesirable behaviour is avoidable.