Abstract :
IN THE FIELD of dynamics, problems concerned with aircraft motion are noted for their complexity. The ordinary differential equations which generally can be used to characterize the problems commonly are of order between 20 and 30 and, unless drastic assumptions are made, contain many nonlinear terms. Important nonlinear effects are introduced by the trigonometric effects associated with the motion of a rigid body with six degrees of freedom as well as by the nature of the aerodynamic forces and moments acting upon the aircraft. Also, if the aircraft is controlled automatically, the nonlinear properties of the controlling equipment are significant. The complexity of the problems is such that computing machines are required for their solutions.
