Maneuver-force gradient system

In a method of controlling an aircraft that pitches up in a maneuver involving roll, for establishing a positive maneuver-force gradient on the pitch control indicative of the magnitude of the roll angle of the maneuver, the steps of:

• automatically moving the pitch control forward as a function of the roll angle to cause the aircraft to pitch nose-down;
• and
• moving the pitch control aft to oppose the automatic forward movement, thereby arresting the downward pitching of the aircraft and controlling the pitch of the aircraft, whereby the automatic forward movement of the pitch control provides to the pilot an indication of the magnitude of the roll angle.

In a method of controlling an aircraft that pitches up in a maneuver involving roll and that has actuator means for positioning the pitch axis aerodynamic surfaces of the aircraft, for establishing a positive maneuver-force gradient on the pilot's pitch control indicative of the magnitude of the roll angle of the maneuver, the steps of:

• automatically causing the actuator means to control the pitch attitude of the aircraft nose-down as a function of the roll angle;
• and
• moving the pitch control aft to oppose the nose-down pitching of the aircraft and controlling the pitch of the aircraft, whereby the amount of aft movement of the pitch control required to control the aircraft attitude from the nose-down attitude to a desired pitch attitude provides to the pilot an indication of the magnitude of the roll angle.