UAV- discussion from way back continued
As I understand a modern flight controller, the pilot tells the flight computer 'I want to turn at this rate', the flight computer figures how much to move which control surfaces to perform the requested maneuver. Baring something like a mechanical failure the computer does a much better job at getting the aircraft to make a specific turn or hold a set course. The pilot, on the other hand, is still better at such tasks as identifying stuff outside the aircraft and deciding how to handle the poorly quantified.
To a degree the computer can use surviving control surfaces to perform the maneuver even with mechanical failure/damage. This all depends on what surfaces are damaged, and how badly, of course.hanelyp wrote:As I understand a modern flight controller, the pilot tells the flight computer 'I want to turn at this rate', the flight computer figures how much to move which control surfaces to perform the requested maneuver. Baring something like a mechanical failure the computer does a much better job at getting the aircraft to make a specific turn or hold a set course. The pilot, on the other hand, is still better at such tasks as identifying stuff outside the aircraft and deciding how to handle the poorly quantified.