Dr. S. Balakrishna had initiated control activities in early 70's in NAL. This activity in the process of time became Flight Mechanics and Control group, and then culminated into the full fledged division which eventually produced two prominent directors for NAL. Also, the division produced two brilliant project directors for the CLAW team that was initiated three decades ago to design, and develop control laws for India's LCA. The LCA had successful maiden-flight in January 2001 which proved the succes of the control laws, besides other systems.
He trained dozens of scientists and technical personnel in the allied areas like parameter estimation from flight test data, and flight simulation.
He built experimental simulators with and without motion, and conducted high class research in the areas of human operator modelling. He built a dynamic wind tunnel to prove feedback control concepts. He also immensely contributed to other projects of NAL: pressure regulating valve, brake pad test rig, filament winding machine, and non-destuctive testing facility, for all these he provided contol solutions.
He was a genius in engineering solutions, and was a high class scientist with a humanitarian approach. He was himself very hard working scientist, sincere, and very free and frank human being. He was always focused in his tasks, and wanted quick engineering solutions to the problems.
Somewhere in mid-90's he took voluntary retirement and joined Vignan Research in USA, and contributed to numerous wind tunnel and other projects of NASA. He had received awards from NASA for his exemplary research work with practical approach.
He created an era of control activities in the country and leaves behind a formidable division that is doing world class research and development in the areas of control laws, flight simulation, and parameter estimation.
He had nurtured and trained people who eventually became the heads of this and even other divisions, and directors of the lab.
We will always miss this engineering genius.
From: Dr. Jitendra R. Raol,
Former Head FMCD.
