Introducing a new measurement method for wing twist and bending

Deformation models for aircraft need to be validated in flight. Non-intrusive measurement methods are preferred for the validation in order to avoid aerodynamic interferences. Photogrammetry is widely applied for the measurements, although the method has some constraints. Only static measurements are provided and accuracy depends on careful and time-consuming calibrations. Applying the Image Pattern Correlation Technique (IPCT) can improve the accuracy, reduce installation time, provide local surface deformations and give dynamic results. IPCT uses image correlation to calculate the deformation of a wing with a speckled pattern. The technique was developed for in-flight applications by DLR and NLR. The feasibility to apply the technique in flight has been demonstrated on a research aircraft in the Advanced In-Flight Measurement Techniques (AIM) project which is supported by the European Commission. The technique will soon be tested on an Airbus A 380. In this paper the technique is described, the results of the in-flight feasibility are given and it is exposed how IPCT will be adapted for A 380 wing twist and bending meas-urement