Path-Attitude Decoupling and Flying Qualities Implications in Hypersonic Flight

The hypersonic flight regime shows a decoupling of pitch attitude and flight path responses to pitch control inputs. The primary factors causing this decoupling are identified, and it is shown that it is a combined effect of the atmospheric density gradient and the high speed of hypersonic flight. Furthermore, it is shown which are the resulting unique path-attitude response characteristics. Flying qualities implications and metrics used in existing criteria and requirements are considered. It is shown which effects result from the path-attitude decoupling in hypersonic on these flying qualities metrics.