Robust Tracking Control for Tail-Sitters in Flight Mode Transitions

Tail-sitters can fly as rotary-wing or fixed-wing aircraft and the transition between the two flight modes is critical. This paper develops a robust nonlinear control method to achieve the trajectory tracking control in flight mode transitions. The coordinate system does not need to be switched neither the controller structures or parameters. Theoretical analysis and simulation studies are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the developed control approach.