A deterministic hybrid optimisation algorithm for nonlinear flight control systems analysis

In this paper, a deterministic global optimisation algorithm, dividing RECTangles (DIRECT), is applied to the problem of clearing nonlinear flight control laws for highly augmented aircraft. Individual flight conditions as well as continuous region of flight envelope are considered in the analysis. The algorithm is applied to the problem of evaluating a nonlinear handling qualities clearance criterion for a simulation model of a high performance aircraft with a full-authority flight control law. Incorporation of local gradient-based optimisation into the DIRECT algorithm is shown to improve convergence to the global solution. The proposed approach is shown to have the potential to significantly improve both the reliability and efficiency of the current industrial flight clearance process