Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 January 2016
The alleviation of gusts effects on a tiltrotor inaeroplane and helicopter operation modes obtained byan optimal control methodology based on theactuation of elevators, wing flaperons andswashplate is examined. An optimal observer forstate estimate is included in the compensatorsynthesis, with the Kalman-Bucy filter applied inthe presence of stochastic noise. Tiltrotor dynamicsis simulated through an aeroelastic model thatcouples rigid-body motion with wing and proprotorstructural dynamics. An extensive numericalinvestigation examines effectiveness and robustnessof the applied control procedure, taking intoaccount the action of both deterministic andstochastic vertical gusts. In addition, a passivepilot model is included in the aeroelastic loop andthe corresponding effects on uncontrolled andcontrolled gust response are analysed.