Control Surface Allocation Based on Offline Handling Quality Simulations for a Flying Wing Aircraft

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Abstract

Commercial applications of flying wing aircraft, as the Flying-V here considered, can contribute to reducing carbon and nitrogen emissions produced by the aviation sector. However, because of the lack of a tail, all flying wing aircraft have reduced controllability. For this reason, the placement and sizing of the control surfaces along the wing is a non-trivial problem. The paper focuses on solving this problem using offline handling quality simulations based on certification requirements. In different flight conditions, the aircraft must be able to perform a certain set of maneuvers as defined by the certifying authorities. First, offline simulations calculate the minimum control authority required from the elevator, aileron, and rudder to perform each maneuver. Then, based on the global minimum for all maneuvers, the control surfaces are sized and placed along the wings. The aerodynamic model employed uses a combination of Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) and vortex lattice method (VLM) simulations. The control authority of the control surfaces is estimated with VLM and VLM calibrated with RANS simulations, showing significant differences between the two.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the AIAA SCITECH 2025 Forum
Number of pages14
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-62410-723-8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2025
EventAIAA SCITECH 2025 Forum - Orlando, United States
Duration: 6 Jan 202510 Jan 2025

Conference

ConferenceAIAA SCITECH 2025 Forum
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando
Period6/01/2510/01/25

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