preprints.org > engineering > control and systems engineering > doi: 10.20944/preprints201712.0114.v1

Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Version 1 : Received: 15 December 2017 / Approved: 18 December 2017 / Online: 18 December 2017 (07:03:18 CET)

The optimization methods are increasingly used to solve challenging problems of aeronautical engineering. Typically, the optimization methods are utilized in design of aircraft airframe or its structure. The presented study is focused on an improvement of aircraft-flight-control procedures through the numerical optimization approach. The optimization problems concern selected phases of flight of light gyroplane - a rotorcraft using an unpowered rotor in autorotation to develop lift and an engine-powered propeller to provide thrust. An original methodology of computational simulation of rotorcraft flight was developed and implemented. In this approach the aircraft-motion equations are solved step-by-step, simultaneously with the solution of the Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations, which is conducted to assess aerodynamic forces acting on the aircraft. As a numerical optimization method, the BFGS algorithm was adapted. The developed methodology was applied to optimize the flight-control procedures in selected stages of gyroplane flight in direct proximity of the ground, where properly conducted control of the aircraft is critical to ensure flight safety and performance. The results of conducted computational optimizations proved qualitative correctness of the developed methodology. The research results can be helpful in design of easy-to-control gyroplanes and also in the training of pilots of this type of rotorcraft.

flight simulation; flight control; optimization; CFD; flight dynamics

Engineering, Control and Systems Engineering

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