PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Some questions regarding Panavia Tornado parts including CSAS control unit
Old 14th Mar 2017, 19:38
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EGNH Flyer
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
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GR1 CSAS

I believe the CSAS in the early model Tornado had some serious issues. If one waggled the stick enough one could effectively 'beat the system' causing a lag between control surface movement and stick input. Someone even wrote a book about the phenomenon whereby a fictitious aircraft (substitute Tornado with Tempest!) had the same problem, to the point they had one at the factory on jacks trying to replicate the problem.

The story alluded to the fact that the Saudis were about to purchase the aircraft and therefore the problem was kept quiet so as not to damage sales. Fact or fiction?
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