Propulsion Controls on the Concorde

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Abstract
Summary One of the novel problems presented by supersonic transports is the control of the complex powerplants needed to achieve optimum efficiency over a very wide range of forward speeds. The subject is a large one and its proper understanding involves the disciplines of aerodynamics, thermodynamics, servo-theory and finally human engineering, because its end product is a set of knobs, levers, lights and dials which must be usable by the flight crew. This paper is intended as an elementary introduction, using the special case of the Concorde as a basis. First, an attempt is made to give the aerodynamic and thermodynamic reasons for the large number of powerplant variables which the control systems must manipulate. On this basis, a functional specification of the control systems is established and, finally, the crew's job of propulsion management is described step-by-step in the course of a typical mission.

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