Raytheon's Hawker Horizon test team has revealed new details of the flight-control system design modifications that have forced certification of the super mid-size business jet to be delayed until December 2004.
Early problems were tied to attempts at replicating the feel of existing Hawker models that are significantly smaller than the Horizon. Elevator manoeuvring forces were found to be higher than certification limits, leading to several longitudinal control system changes, including a higher balance tab gearing, larger g-weight and added nose-up trim bias.
The modifications resulted in a 30% column force reduction, and there were also several changes to the lateral flight-control system.
Source: Flight International
