Aerodynamic coefficients estimation of a general aviation airplane from flight test data

master's thesis

• Title (croatian): Estimacija aerodinamičkih koeficijenata za avion opće avijacije iz podataka s testnih letova
• Author: David Haber-Zelanto
• Mentor: Milan Vrdoljak (mentor)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture; Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2021-01-21, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: TECHNICAL SCIENCES; Aviation, Rocket and Space Technology; Aircraft Control

Abstract

In the summer of 2019 the Center for Aviation at the Zürich University of Applied Sciences conducted a flight test campaign on a Piper Pa-28-161 airplane. Since then, they have the goal of a self-made model of a Piper PA-28 which can be implemented in their Research and Didactics Simulator. This thesis is concerned with all the necessary data gathering and set up for a parameter estimation process determining aerodynamic coefficient models. Along with the basic introduction to the system identification and parameter estimation, this thesis provides an overview of the flight test data, instrumentation and test points together with some challenges and issues that have to be mentioned before the data can be used. After the processing procedure of the flight test data, it is shown how the estimation of the mass, balance and inertia of the aircraft is performed. Next, engine forces and moments needed for aerodynamic coefficient calculation are computed. Additional data corrections and sensor error model development with flight path reconstruction is presented as well. Finally, after all the data is gathered and assembled, parameter estimation with linear estimation is done using the ordinary least squares method. Exemplary models of the aerodynamic coefficients are offered as well.

Abstract (croatian)

Na ljeto 2019. godine Centar za zrakoplovstvo na Sveučilištu primijenjenih znanosti u Zürichu proveo je kampanju letnih ispitivanja na avionu Piper Pa-28-161. Od tada im je cilj razvitak samostalnog modela Pipera PA-28 koji se može primijeniti u njihovom istražnom simulatoru. Ovaj se diplomski rad bavi prikupljanjem svih potrebnih podataka i postavljenjem procedure za postupak procjene parametara modela aerodinamičkih koeficijenata. Uz osnovni uvod u identifikaciju sustava i procjenu parametara, u radu je dan i pregled ispitnih podataka iz leta, instrumentacije i ispitnih točaka, zajedno s izazovima i problemima koje treba spomenuti prije nego što se podaci mogu upotrijebiti. Nakon obrade podataka iz leta, prikazano je kako se vrši procjena mase, ravnoteže i inercije zrakoplova. Slijedi proračun sila i momenata motora, potrebnih za izračun aerodinamičkih koeficijenata. Predstavljene su i dodatne korekcije podataka i razvoj modela pogrešaka senzora postupkom rekonstrukcije putanje leta. Konačno, nakon što su svi podaci okupljeni i strukturirani, vrši se procjena parametara linearnom regresijom metodom najmanjih kvadrata. Također su postavljeni i primjerni modeli aerodinamičkih koeficijenata.

• Keywords: parameter estimation; Piper PA-28-161; flight test data; sensor error model; flight path reconstruction; aerodynamic coefficients; linear regression; moments of inertia; engine model; manoeuvre
• Keywords (croatian): procjena parametara; Piper PA-28-161; podaci iz leta; model pogrešaka senzora; rekonstrukcija putanje leta; aerodinamički koeficijenti; linearna regresija; momenti tromosti; model motora; manevar
• Language: english
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:235:623552
• Study programme: Title: Aeronautical Studies; Study programme type: university; Study level: graduate; Academic / professional title: magistar/magistra inženjer/inženjerka zrakoplovnog inženjerstva (magistar/magistra inženjer/inženjerka zrakoplovnog inženjerstva)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Public note: In association with Center for Aviation at the Zürich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) for a flight test campaign on a Piper Pa-28-161 airplane. Dr. Pierluigi Capone was comentor.
• Created on: 2021-01-17 21:43:02