Cremation
Obit: SMITH, Ralph H.
Author: Don Stowell Date: 11 Aug 2004 12:47 PM GMT
Classification: Obituary
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Obituary
Ralph H. Smith, Flight Test Engineering Pioneer
Helped solve pilot-induced-oscillation problems
BY ALAN REDECKI
SPECIAL TO THE DESERT NEWS
MOJAVE — The world of flight test lost a true pioneer with the passing of Ralph H. Smith on Saturday, May 31. Ralph Smith held a Masters degree in engineering from Princeton, and worked for a number of engineering consultancy firms that dealt with solving flight control problems. His unique approach to engineering problems ranged far beyond military aircraft flight test, from his start in automotive dynamics analysis and engineering to his contributions to the systems that kept solar panels tracking the sun on Dick Rutan's round-the-world balloon attempt.
Problem-solving
Much of Smith's career has been dedicated to solving problems of Pilot Induced Oscillation (PIO) which have plagued fly-by-wire aircraft. He was instrumental in solving PIO problems with the Space Shuttle Orbiter, the B-2, the SAAB Gripen, AFTI/F-16 and X-29.
His extensive experience in research in human-machine integration, the source of PIO, led him to form the company High Plains Engineering, based at the Civilian Flight Test Center in Mojave. Smith has also been instrumental in flight and handling qualities research, testing and simulation both at the US Air Force Test Pilot School and the National Test Pilot School.
Smith was a contributing author for MIL-STD-8785C, Flying Qualities of Piloted Airplanes and will be remembered as one of the originators of the Smith-Geddes Criteria for handling qualities assessment. He was also well known for his innovative handling qualities analysis software, called RSMITH, which helps evaluate aircraft handling qualities and predicts where there might be control system problems. At the time of his death, he and the HPE team were finalizing a commercial package of his proprietary software, SIM IV, which will be debuted at this month's Paris Airshow.
Innovative software
While it is relatively easy to predict and engineer the behavior of mechanical systems, it is another thing entirely to mathematically quantify human behavior, which many consider to be unpredictable. Smith's software designs, however, have been able to do just that. With human reflexive response quantifiable, aircraft flight control software can then be designed to accommodate expected pilot reactions and thus mitigate against PIO. Such problems, for instance, caused the crash of the SAAB Gripen prototype on landing, and Smith was instrumental in helping identify the software changes that needed to be made. With those changes made, the Gripen has become an extremely capable fighter aircraft.
Smith is survived by his wife, Lilia and four children, Eric, Erin, Jason and Julia. A memorial service was held at the National Test Pilot School in Mojave last Friday.
(caption for photo)
RALPH SMITH, who passed away last week, checks a flight simulator he designed and built for the National Test Pilot School at Mojave Airport.
SSDI
Name: Ralph H. Smith
SSN: 282-34-0601
Last Residence: 93501 Mojave, Kern, California, United States of America
Born: 3 Dec 1937
Died: 31 May 2003
State (Year) SSN issued: Ohio (1955-1956 )
Obit: SMITH, Ralph H.
Author: Don Stowell Date: 11 Aug 2004 12:47 PM GMT
Classification: Obituary
Post Reply | Mark Unread Report Abuse Print Message
Obituary
Ralph H. Smith, Flight Test Engineering Pioneer
Helped solve pilot-induced-oscillation problems
BY ALAN REDECKI
SPECIAL TO THE DESERT NEWS
MOJAVE — The world of flight test lost a true pioneer with the passing of Ralph H. Smith on Saturday, May 31. Ralph Smith held a Masters degree in engineering from Princeton, and worked for a number of engineering consultancy firms that dealt with solving flight control problems. His unique approach to engineering problems ranged far beyond military aircraft flight test, from his start in automotive dynamics analysis and engineering to his contributions to the systems that kept solar panels tracking the sun on Dick Rutan's round-the-world balloon attempt.
Problem-solving
Much of Smith's career has been dedicated to solving problems of Pilot Induced Oscillation (PIO) which have plagued fly-by-wire aircraft. He was instrumental in solving PIO problems with the Space Shuttle Orbiter, the B-2, the SAAB Gripen, AFTI/F-16 and X-29.
His extensive experience in research in human-machine integration, the source of PIO, led him to form the company High Plains Engineering, based at the Civilian Flight Test Center in Mojave. Smith has also been instrumental in flight and handling qualities research, testing and simulation both at the US Air Force Test Pilot School and the National Test Pilot School.
Smith was a contributing author for MIL-STD-8785C, Flying Qualities of Piloted Airplanes and will be remembered as one of the originators of the Smith-Geddes Criteria for handling qualities assessment. He was also well known for his innovative handling qualities analysis software, called RSMITH, which helps evaluate aircraft handling qualities and predicts where there might be control system problems. At the time of his death, he and the HPE team were finalizing a commercial package of his proprietary software, SIM IV, which will be debuted at this month's Paris Airshow.
Innovative software
While it is relatively easy to predict and engineer the behavior of mechanical systems, it is another thing entirely to mathematically quantify human behavior, which many consider to be unpredictable. Smith's software designs, however, have been able to do just that. With human reflexive response quantifiable, aircraft flight control software can then be designed to accommodate expected pilot reactions and thus mitigate against PIO. Such problems, for instance, caused the crash of the SAAB Gripen prototype on landing, and Smith was instrumental in helping identify the software changes that needed to be made. With those changes made, the Gripen has become an extremely capable fighter aircraft.
Smith is survived by his wife, Lilia and four children, Eric, Erin, Jason and Julia. A memorial service was held at the National Test Pilot School in Mojave last Friday.
(caption for photo)
RALPH SMITH, who passed away last week, checks a flight simulator he designed and built for the National Test Pilot School at Mojave Airport.
SSDI
Name: Ralph H. Smith
SSN: 282-34-0601
Last Residence: 93501 Mojave, Kern, California, United States of America
Born: 3 Dec 1937
Died: 31 May 2003
State (Year) SSN issued: Ohio (1955-1956 )
Cremation
Obit: SMITH, Ralph H.
Author: Don Stowell Date: 11 Aug 2004 12:47 PM GMT
Classification: Obituary
Post Reply | Mark Unread Report Abuse Print Message
Obituary
Ralph H. Smith, Flight Test Engineering Pioneer
Helped solve pilot-induced-oscillation problems
BY ALAN REDECKI
SPECIAL TO THE DESERT NEWS
MOJAVE — The world of flight test lost a true pioneer with the passing of Ralph H. Smith on Saturday, May 31. Ralph Smith held a Masters degree in engineering from Princeton, and worked for a number of engineering consultancy firms that dealt with solving flight control problems. His unique approach to engineering problems ranged far beyond military aircraft flight test, from his start in automotive dynamics analysis and engineering to his contributions to the systems that kept solar panels tracking the sun on Dick Rutan's round-the-world balloon attempt.
Problem-solving
Much of Smith's career has been dedicated to solving problems of Pilot Induced Oscillation (PIO) which have plagued fly-by-wire aircraft. He was instrumental in solving PIO problems with the Space Shuttle Orbiter, the B-2, the SAAB Gripen, AFTI/F-16 and X-29.
His extensive experience in research in human-machine integration, the source of PIO, led him to form the company High Plains Engineering, based at the Civilian Flight Test Center in Mojave. Smith has also been instrumental in flight and handling qualities research, testing and simulation both at the US Air Force Test Pilot School and the National Test Pilot School.
Smith was a contributing author for MIL-STD-8785C, Flying Qualities of Piloted Airplanes and will be remembered as one of the originators of the Smith-Geddes Criteria for handling qualities assessment. He was also well known for his innovative handling qualities analysis software, called RSMITH, which helps evaluate aircraft handling qualities and predicts where there might be control system problems. At the time of his death, he and the HPE team were finalizing a commercial package of his proprietary software, SIM IV, which will be debuted at this month's Paris Airshow.
Innovative software
While it is relatively easy to predict and engineer the behavior of mechanical systems, it is another thing entirely to mathematically quantify human behavior, which many consider to be unpredictable. Smith's software designs, however, have been able to do just that. With human reflexive response quantifiable, aircraft flight control software can then be designed to accommodate expected pilot reactions and thus mitigate against PIO. Such problems, for instance, caused the crash of the SAAB Gripen prototype on landing, and Smith was instrumental in helping identify the software changes that needed to be made. With those changes made, the Gripen has become an extremely capable fighter aircraft.
Smith is survived by his wife, Lilia and four children, Eric, Erin, Jason and Julia. A memorial service was held at the National Test Pilot School in Mojave last Friday.
(caption for photo)
RALPH SMITH, who passed away last week, checks a flight simulator he designed and built for the National Test Pilot School at Mojave Airport.
SSDI
Name: Ralph H. Smith
SSN: 282-34-0601
Last Residence: 93501 Mojave, Kern, California, United States of America
Born: 3 Dec 1937
Died: 31 May 2003
State (Year) SSN issued: Ohio (1955-1956 )
Obit: SMITH, Ralph H.
Author: Don Stowell Date: 11 Aug 2004 12:47 PM GMT
Classification: Obituary
Post Reply | Mark Unread Report Abuse Print Message
Obituary
Ralph H. Smith, Flight Test Engineering Pioneer
Helped solve pilot-induced-oscillation problems
BY ALAN REDECKI
SPECIAL TO THE DESERT NEWS
MOJAVE — The world of flight test lost a true pioneer with the passing of Ralph H. Smith on Saturday, May 31. Ralph Smith held a Masters degree in engineering from Princeton, and worked for a number of engineering consultancy firms that dealt with solving flight control problems. His unique approach to engineering problems ranged far beyond military aircraft flight test, from his start in automotive dynamics analysis and engineering to his contributions to the systems that kept solar panels tracking the sun on Dick Rutan's round-the-world balloon attempt.
Problem-solving
Much of Smith's career has been dedicated to solving problems of Pilot Induced Oscillation (PIO) which have plagued fly-by-wire aircraft. He was instrumental in solving PIO problems with the Space Shuttle Orbiter, the B-2, the SAAB Gripen, AFTI/F-16 and X-29.
His extensive experience in research in human-machine integration, the source of PIO, led him to form the company High Plains Engineering, based at the Civilian Flight Test Center in Mojave. Smith has also been instrumental in flight and handling qualities research, testing and simulation both at the US Air Force Test Pilot School and the National Test Pilot School.
Smith was a contributing author for MIL-STD-8785C, Flying Qualities of Piloted Airplanes and will be remembered as one of the originators of the Smith-Geddes Criteria for handling qualities assessment. He was also well known for his innovative handling qualities analysis software, called RSMITH, which helps evaluate aircraft handling qualities and predicts where there might be control system problems. At the time of his death, he and the HPE team were finalizing a commercial package of his proprietary software, SIM IV, which will be debuted at this month's Paris Airshow.
Innovative software
While it is relatively easy to predict and engineer the behavior of mechanical systems, it is another thing entirely to mathematically quantify human behavior, which many consider to be unpredictable. Smith's software designs, however, have been able to do just that. With human reflexive response quantifiable, aircraft flight control software can then be designed to accommodate expected pilot reactions and thus mitigate against PIO. Such problems, for instance, caused the crash of the SAAB Gripen prototype on landing, and Smith was instrumental in helping identify the software changes that needed to be made. With those changes made, the Gripen has become an extremely capable fighter aircraft.
Smith is survived by his wife, Lilia and four children, Eric, Erin, Jason and Julia. A memorial service was held at the National Test Pilot School in Mojave last Friday.
(caption for photo)
RALPH SMITH, who passed away last week, checks a flight simulator he designed and built for the National Test Pilot School at Mojave Airport.
SSDI
Name: Ralph H. Smith
SSN: 282-34-0601
Last Residence: 93501 Mojave, Kern, California, United States of America
Born: 3 Dec 1937
Died: 31 May 2003
State (Year) SSN issued: Ohio (1955-1956 )
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