System, autopilot supplement assembly and method for increasing autopilot control authority

A method of increasing autopilot control authority in a vehicle comprising:

• receiving a measure of a variable autopilot force applied to at least one control surface of the vehicle to thereby control the vehicle;
• receiving a measure of a variable control force applied to at least one control surface of the vehicle;
• and
• determining a variable supplemental force that when applied to the at least one control surface acts in concert with the autopilot force and counter to the control force, wherein the sum of the supplemental force and the autopilot force equals a total force that is greater than the control force, and wherein the supplemental force is determined based upon the control force measured.

An autopilot supplement assembly for increasing autopilot control authority in a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes an autopilot system capable of controlling the vehicle by applying a variable autopilot force to at least one control surface of the vehicle, said autopilot supplement assembly comprising:

• at least one transducer mechanically connected to a control element of the vehicle, wherein the control element is capable of controlling the vehicle by applying a variable control force to at least one control surface of the vehicle, and wherein the at least one transducer is capable of measuring the control force;
• at least one cable tension servo electrically connected to the controller and mechanically connected to the at least one control surface, wherein the at least one cable tension servo is capable of applying a variable supplemental force to the at least one control surface that acts on the at least one control surface in concert with the autopilot force and counter to the control force, wherein the sum of the supplemental force and the autopilot force equals a total force that is greater than the control force;
• and
• a controller electrically connected to the at least one transducer and the at least one cable tension servo, wherein the controller is capable of determining the variable supplemental force based upon the control force measured by the transducer, and wherein the controller is capable of controlling the at least one cable tension servo to apply the supplemental force.