SUMMARYThis paper describes a non-linear, &-minimum time, feedback controller for a wind tunnel model and a numerical simulation of its performance. The model is a linear third-order system with delay and a statevariable constraint; it represents the dynamics of a Mach number control loop in a cryogenic wind tunnel.The design method involves a singular perturbation technique, an impulse control and a compensation of delay. Peformance of linear and non-linear &-minimum time control is compared in various operating conditions. The closed-loop dynamics of the non-linear system is examined by numerical simulations which exhibit the boundary-layer phenomena in the control and the effects of various changes in parameters.