An Analysis of Navy Approach Power Compensator Problems and Requirements

Analyses of the current Navy Approach Power Compensator System (APCS) ARE MADE FOR MANUAL AND Automatic Carrier Landing System (ACLS) operations. Major problem areas are identified and these are correlated with the changes in the aircraft dynamic characteristics resulting from incorporation of the current APCS concept, which uses angle of attack, normal acceleration, and elevator deflection as input signals to control thrust. Root causes and basic limitations are developed using open and closed-loop servo analysis techniques to study the combined pilot/APCS/aircraft system and the automatic control situation (i.e., ACLS). Particular attention is given to developing literal approximate expressions to connect APCS and basic airframe parameters. Basic APCS design implications and compromises are implied from these expressions. A critique is given of APCS specifications and test procedures as presently employed during carrier suitability evaluation. (Author)