Flight Dynamics Simulation with Integrated Electrical System Model for Pilot-in-the-Loop Testing

Vives College University and KULAB in Belgium are undertaking an aeronautical research program about the development of a new Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Since the UAV is completely electrically powered, the analysis of the energy management of the integrated electrical system was critical to the development of the UAV. LMS, A Siemens Business, is involved in the project to support the development of a multi-physics simulation model for electro-thermal analysis of the aircraft. This paper reports on the subsequent investigation of integrating the model of the electrical system and a multi-body model of the aircraft with landing gear for a Pilot-in-the-Loop simulation, i.e. flight simulator. The motivation is to demonstrate a unified modelling approach during the design of complex systems. The premise is that similar models based on the same modelling principals can be used during various stages of the design process. Moreover, more realistic PIL flight simulations can be attained to study the aircraft behavior and to improve pilot training. Furthermore, it enables the real-time visualisation of key variables during the simulation. The research outcome validates the feasibility and the advantages of combined models of a mechanism and electrical system for a Pilot-in-the-Loop simulation.status: accepte