jetcareers - View Single Post - Anti-servo Tab

A300Capt · July 21st, 2003, 14:00

[ QUOTE ]
Of course, I have a =little= trouble with the concept that making an aircraft less stable decreases workload and that making it more stable increases workload.

[/ QUOTE ]

Think of it this way. Power steering vs a non-power steering car. The heavier forces required to move the steering wheel without power steering increases the driver's physical workload but makes the vehicle more stable without the tendency to overcontrol as with "powered" or "boosted" steering.

A friend of mine here at UPS who I fly with is an ex-Blue Angel pilot. After many discussions with him about his years with the team he told me that their aircraft are modified from the stock F18's by adding a 30lb spring to the stick which provides a constant forward pressure. This increases the pilot's physical workload (having to apply aft pressure against it for 45 minutes), but it helps to prevent PIO while in close formation due to the boosted controls, which he said would be the case without the spring. I'll take his word for it. Without the spring, the workload would be less on the pilot but the aircraft would be more unstable since the slightest movement (twitch)of the stick may provide you with an unwanted result.

July 21st, 2003, 14:00	#5
A300Capt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 712	Re: Anti-servo Tab [ QUOTE ] Of course, I have a =little= trouble with the concept that making an aircraft less stable decreases workload and that making it more stable increases workload. [/ QUOTE ] Think of it this way. Power steering vs a non-power steering car. The heavier forces required to move the steering wheel without power steering increases the driver's physical workload but makes the vehicle more stable without the tendency to overcontrol as with "powered" or "boosted" steering. A friend of mine here at UPS who I fly with is an ex-Blue Angel pilot. After many discussions with him about his years with the team he told me that their aircraft are modified from the stock F18's by adding a 30lb spring to the stick which provides a constant forward pressure. This increases the pilot's physical workload (having to apply aft pressure against it for 45 minutes), but it helps to prevent PIO while in close formation due to the boosted controls, which he said would be the case without the spring. I'll take his word for it. Without the spring, the workload would be less on the pilot but the aircraft would be more unstable since the slightest movement (twitch)of the stick may provide you with an unwanted result.