a new flight controller was evaluated through piloted simulation and flight test conducted at the usaf test pilot school. the controller, commonly called a disturbance observer, uses inertial sensor feedback routed through a simple control architecture that acts to force the desired response while rejecting sensor noise and atmospheric disturbances. the investigation included both handling qualities testing in the octonian simulator at the air force research laboratories air vehicle directorate, and initial flight test conducted as part of a test management project at the usaf tps. simulation produced positive results with desired performance throughout a wide flight envelope. in addition, the desired response of the aircraft was easily modified by changing variables within the controller. flight test was conducted on the variable-stability in-flight simulator and test aircraft (vista). twelve test sorties totaling 16.4 flight hours were conducted and culminated in multiple landings at edwards afb, ca. time delay inherent in the vista resulted in the requirement to gain down the control surface command signal. sensor noise was amplified and caused a control surface 'buzz." flying qualities exhibited lower damping and frequency than 'desired' yet were consistent throughout a larger flight envelope. post flight analysis resulted in the determination of ways to reduce the noise causing the 'buzz' and improve the flying qualities by adjusting the controller's 'desired dynamics.'this work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. this work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.this work is in the public domain in the united states of america, and possibly other nations. within the united states, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.as a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. we appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.