Linearized Rigid-Body Dynamics of Asymmetric Aircraft

Most aircraft are symmetric about their mid-plane, which permits simplifying assumptions when modeling their aerodynamic and mass properties, as well as estimating their dynamic modes. This work considers methods for modeling asymmetric aircraft, including capturing the dynamic mode characteristics that result from their asymmetric properties. While the primary focus of this work is on the dynamic mode properties of these aircraft, a significant portion of the dissertation is dedicated to modeling their aerodynamic, mass, and trimmed flight characteristics. The linearized rigid-body aircraft equations of motion used for dynamic mode estimates are developed to include the effects of asymmetries in both the aircraft’s physical configuration and its flight condition. Results are presented for three unique asymmetric aircraft, including two variants of a fighter aircraft similar to the F-16, and an approximation of the Rutan Boomerang. These results show that the asymmetric properties of these aircraft lead to coupling of the longitudinal and lateral degrees of freedom, which is not typically observed in the traditional dynamic modes.