Integrated design optimization method for novel vapour-compression-cycle-based environmental control systems

The aircraft Environmental Control System (ECS) is the primary consumer of non-propulsive power at cruise conditions, hence, its performance optimization is crucial for the reduction of specific fuel consumption. A novel integrated system design optimization method is presented: thermodynamic cycle, component sizing and working fluid are...

Identification of manual control behaviour to assess rotorcraft handling qualities

Flight safety has been a fundamental aspect of aircraft, and the future demand for wider usage of aerial operations leads to more focus on the flight safety. Particularly rotorcraft require high standards of flight safety due to their inherent features, such as complicated rotary mechanisms, close-to-ground operations, and complex aerodynamic...

Challenges with obstacle data for manned and unmanned aviation

The objective of this paper is to raise awareness about the significance of collecting and ensuring the quality of the obstacle data required for the safety of air navigation for both manned and unmanned aviation. This information could be of importance to geodetic, CityGML, 3D model and Building Information Management (BIM) community. With the...

Fuel Cell and Battery Hybrid System Optimization: Towards Increased Range and Endurance

Aircraft manufacturers are increasingly exploring emission-free flight or emission reduction for larger passenger aircraft. The low energy density of state-of-the-art battery technology limits the application to small, electric, fixed wing aircraft up to a flight time of approximately one hour. To overcome these limits, a combination of fuel...

Helicopter Roll-Axis Instabilities induced by Pilot Cyclic Control: A Physical Explanation

The main objective of this paper is to give a basic understanding of the mechanisms through which pilot cyclic inputs in lateral cyclic interacts with high-order rotor dynamics destabilizing the helicopter roll motion. The paper will use a “Newtonian formulation” representing the main forces acting on the airframe body-rotor system as the pilot...

Understanding pilot biodynamical feedthrough coupling in helicopter adverse roll axis instability via lateral cyclic feedback control

The paper reassesses the mechanism of biodynamical feedthrough coupling to helicopter body motion in lateral-roll helicopter tasks. An analytical bio-aeroelastic pilot–vehicle model is first developed and tested for various pilot’s neuromuscular adaptions in the lateral/roll axis helicopter tasks. The results demonstrate that pilot can...

Adverse rotorcraft-pilot coupling: Prediction and suppression of rigid body RPC: Sketches from the work of Garteur HC-AG16

Adverse rotorcraft-pilot coupling: Recent research activities in Europe

Rotorcraft responses to atmospheric turbulence