Microcomputer Brings Digital Power to the Small Aircraft Gas Turbine

A new digital microprocessor based electronic control system has been developed and flight tested for small gas turbine engine applications. This paper addresses the Hamilton Standard Multi-Application Control System (MACS) which marries a unique blend of computing power from a modern day digital microprocessor along with the reliability of a hydromechanical control unit, all in a cost effective package geared for the small gas turbine engine arena. The design concept allowed a basic control system to be applied to several engine programs with only minor modifications required to the electronic and hydromechanical portions of the system. These engine programs include turbofan, turboprop and turboshaft applications. To-date, all three variations of the system have been produced and successfully tested and are presently being introduced into production.