Analysis of a lateral pilot-induced oscillation experienced on the first flight of the YF-16 aircraft

In order to compare and assess potential improvements, two control systems were modeled; the original first flight or prototype aircraft system, and a modification of the prototype system, which essentially reduced the overall gain for the takeoff and landing phase. In general, the overall system gain reduction of the modified flight control system was sufficient to avoid lateral pilot-induced oscillation tendencies. Lowering the system gain reduced the tendency to rate saturate, which resulted in correspondingly higher critical pilot gains for the same control input.