Modelling and Handling Quality Assessment of the Flying-V Aircraft

Considerable growth in the number of passengers and cargo transported by air is predicted. Besides that, aircraft noise and climate impact become increasingly important factors in aircraft design. These existing challenges in aviation boost interest in the design of innovative aircraft configurations. One of these configurations is a V-shaped flying wing named the Flying-V. This work aims at developing a flight dynamic simulation model of the Flying-V based on aerodynamic data obtained from the Vortex Lattice Method and wind tunnel experiments. The simulation model is used to assess the stability and handling qualities for certification and qualification purposes. Prior work has shown an assessment of the stability and handling qualities based on a linear aerodynamic model. However, to capture the longitudinal undesired behaviour of the Flying-V it is necessary to use a nonlinear aerodynamic model. Therefore, this paper illustrates how a flight dynamic simulation model, based on combined aerodynamic data from the Vortex Lattice Method and wind tunnel experiments, is used for certification and qualification purposes. The stability and handling qualities are assessed by analysing the aircraft dynamic modes and analysing nonlinear system handling qualities based on linearisation for both the cruise and approach condition.