Continuum Dynamics Inc (CDI) has been awarded a NASA SBIR Phase I to investigate methods for assessing remaining control power and detecting the onset of loss-of-control events in advanced aerial mobility (AAM) aircraft.
In recent FAA-sponsored work on certification considerations for AAM aircraft, CDI developed an algorithmic approach for detecting the onset of loss-of-control (LOC) events through monitoring the aircraft’s remaining control power (RCP). This model-based approach, while powerful, presumes knowledge of the vehicle control effectiveness as a function of flight condition and configuration in the determination of both RCP and disturbance wind conditions. Under principal investigator Dr. Bob Mckillip, this NASA effort will significantly expand this capability to address possible LOC events when the control effectiveness itself deteriorates due to unusual flight conditions (i.e. vortex ring state) or environmental effects such as icing, shear flows, etc. The expanded detection capability would provide assurance of autonomy of the associated flight control system to indicate the potential onset of conditions that would degrade vehicle control capability.
This capability is widely applicable to the AAM ecosystem, and can be applied as an in the loop safety assurance measure for commercial AAM operations, as well as providing documented metric on test aircraft RCP during certification flight testing. Other applications include, but are not limited to identifying safe operating conditions from confined spaces, such as for VTOL aircraft operating from small ships or in cities and urban canyon environments.
For more information on this award or the work of Dr. Mckillip and CDI associates on flight dynamics and controllability, please contact Continuum Dynamics at info@continuum-dynamics.com.