Development and Integration of Flight Dynamics Models for Study of eVTOL Aircraft in the NASA Vertical Motion Simulator

Abstract

A piloted simulation study in the Vertical Motion Simulator at NASA Ames Research Center will investigate the handling and ride qualities of eVTOL configurations (lift-plus-cruise and tiltwing) for both civilian and military applications. The flight dynamics models were developed in the FLIGHTLAB modeling and analysis software environment, while explicit model-following control laws and high-fidelity powertrain models were developed in Simulink. The Joint Input-Output method was used to generate frequency responses for linear model verification, as the control effectors are highly correlated for these types of vehicles. The linear models were verified for the frequency range of interest for handling qualities. Once verified and tested individially, the three parts (flight dynamics model, control laws, and powertrain) will be integrated into the Vertical Motion Simulator for piloted simulation evaluations.

Authors

• David Caudle Ames Research Center
• Raghuvir Singh Ames Research Center
• Carlos Malpica Ames Research Center
• Samuel J Nadell U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command
• Tom Berger U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command
• Peter Suh Armstrong Flight Research Center

Keywords

• Vertical Motion Simulator
• eVTOL
• models
• integration of flight dynamics