We know that an aircraft experiences several disturbances during flight.

In this project, MATLAB is used to predict the most optimal situation for an airplane’s pitch stability, also known as its vertical stability during flight.

Located at the tail, the airplane’s elevators control its pitching motion (nose up or down). This project answers the question:

Which elevator deflection angle ensures pitch stability effectively?

To approach the problem realistically, a flight simulator is employed.

Then, a specific set of flight conditions are imposed within the flight simulator. Next, recordings are taken for fundamental parameters such as the center of gravity location, the aerodynamic center, and the pitching moment at various elevator deflection angles.

Once all parameters are collected, MATLAB is used to model and visualize the aircraft’s stability at these different elevator deflection angles.

The aircraft achieves neutral pitch attitude when the aircraft’s nose is neither pitching up nor pitching down.

Essentially, the aerodynamic forces and moments around the center of gravity are balanced.

As shown in the MATLAB generated plots, the aircraft experiences a neutral pitching moment at an elevator deflection angle of 3.4°. Therefore, we know that at this angle, no continuous control input is required from the pilot.

This elevator deflection angle checks out for pitch stability.