Date of Award
3-24-2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering
Department
Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
First Advisor
Donald Kunz, PhD.
Abstract
Flying qualities data can be used to predict the future performance of aircraft; however, no flying qualities requirements exist for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The intent of flying qualities requirements is to guarantee the safety and operational effectiveness of the aircraft. Flying qualities requirements have been extensively researched and specified for fixed-wing and rotary-wing manned aircraft based on a substantial database of assessments. The critical issue today in flying qualities is how to extend them to pilotless aircraft. A simulation study using an open-source flight dynamics model (JSBSim) was conducted to perform various performance maneuvers and evaluate how well the aircraft followed the desired maneuver. Criteria from MIL-STD-1797 were used to evaluate the flying quality characteristics and compared to the simulation results. It was found that the application of manned criteria to autonomous UAVs did not provide an accurate depiction of its flying qualities. Instead the requirements should be focused on the closed-loop task evaluation and the limitations of the flight control system.
AFIT Designator
AFIT-ENY-MS-16-M-221
DTIC Accession Number
AD1054167
Recommended Citation
Kim, Joshua P., "Evaluation of Unmanned Aircraft Flying Qualities Using JSBSim" (2016). Theses and Dissertations. 434.
https://scholar.afit.edu/etd/434