Flight Characteristics Analysis Based on QAR Data of a Jet Transport During Landing at a High-altitude Airport

Flight data of a twin-jet transport aircraft in revenue flight are analyzed for potential safety problems. Data from the quick access recorder (QAR) are first filtered through the kinematic compatibility analysis. The filtered data are then organized into longitudinal- and lateral-directional aerodynamic model data with dynamic ground effect. The dynamic ground effect requires the radio height and sink rate in the models. The model data are then refined into numerical models through a fuzzy logic algorithm without data smoothing in advance. These numerical models describe nonlinear and unsteady aerodynamics and are used in nonlinear flight dynamics simulation. For the jet transport under study, it is found that the effect of crosswind is significant enough to excite the Dutch roll motion. Through a linearized analysis in flight dynamics at every instant of time, the Dutch roll motion is found to be in nonlinear oscillation without clear damping of the amplitude. In the analysis, all stability derivatives vary with time and hence are nonlinear functions of state variables. Since the Dutch roll motion is not damped despite the fact that a full-time yaw damper is engaged, it is concluded that the design data for the yaw damper is not sufficiently realistic and the contribution of time derivative of sideslip angle to damping should be considered. As a result of nonlinear flight simulation, the vertical wind acting on the aircraft is estimated to be mostly updraft which varies along the flight path before touchdown. Varying updraft appears to make the descent rate more difficult to control to result in a higher g-load at touchdown.