Notes on 'The electric control of large aeroplanes'

The author examines a proposal published by D.T. Glass-Hooper (see Flight, Dec. 21, 1916) for controlling an aircraft using solenoids. He than discusses the control systems used almost universally in aircraft through the end of WWII, and the gradual evolution to almost all-electrical flight control (the hydraulic actuator is the last major nonelectrical element). Laboratory testing of electric actuators is considered and the C-141 Aileron electric actuation system is presented. The High Technology Test Bed program, which was implemented to provide a research aircraft for the development and evaluation of aerodynamic, avionic, and flight control system concepts, is described.<>