Seeing and feeling the future A ROLE FOR FLIGHT SIMULATION IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION Dr Mark D White,...

Seeing and feeling the future

A ROLE FOR FLIGHT SIMULATION IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION

Dr Mark D White, Professor Gareth D Padfield

Flight Science & Technology Research GroupThe University of Liverpool U.K.

www.flightlab.liv.ac.uk

EE2006Liverpool July 24th - 26th 2006


Challenges faced by Aerospace Engineering Degree Programmes

Achieved in this case by the use of Flight Simulation

To produce capable graduates for the Aerospace Industry

By providing an environment enabling the development of technicaland inter-personal skills through challenging modules and exposure to active learning methods

Learning environment should instil the desire for self-improvement, with modules developed alongConceive, Design, Implement and Operate (CDIO) guidelines

How?


Key Components for Simulation Active Learning Environment

Key ingredient: challengingproblem based learning (PBL) modules

Hardware: Ranging from home built tofull motion research facilities

Software: From high fidelity modelling environmentsto games development packages


High Fidelity Simulation Environment - HELIFLIGHT

• 6-axis motion cueing

• 6 visual channels

• 4-axis dynamic control loading

• FLIGHTLAB modelling environment: selective fidelity, re-configurable flight models

• PilotStation – real time interface for piloted simulation

• Available for students to test new aircraft designs, modifications, control and display concepts

• Utilised in 4 u/g Aerospace Engineering modules


Low Cost Simulation Environments

X-Pit Simulator• Uses X-Plane Software, Matlab/Simulink

• Developed “in-house”

• Fixed base, 2 Visual channels

• Networked to HELIFLIGHT

Desktop Simulation• Flybox or joystick to drive FLIGHTLAB, Matlab/Simulink models

• Accessible to a larger number of students

• Integrated readily into various degree modules


Simulation Modelling Software

• GSCOPE– component-level editor

• FLME- model editor– develop models from higher level

primitives– selective fidelity

• Xanalysis– nonlinear analysis– linearisation, stability– handling qualities– control system design

FLIGHTLAB

Complex systems can be designed and analysed offline and implementedquickly online allowing rapid prototyping of design solutions

• Matlab xPC Real-Time Target for closed-loop simulation of Simulink Aerospace models.

• The full Matlab ‘suite’ can be used to create aerospace Models.

• Matlab Virtual Reality Toolbox can aid with visualisation of concepts

MATLAB

Generic rotorcraft model

AeroSim Blockset Cessna 172 Model


Simulator Utilisation

0

120

240

360

480

600

720

840

960

1080

UndergaduateActivities

UCAS/SchoolsVisits

AppliedResearch

System Work CommercialVisits

Total

Ho

urs

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

Increased demand forsimulator utilisation

Undergraduate teaching and research and schools activities account for ~ 1/3 of simulator utilisation


Undergraduate Simulator Activities

Simulator environment provides “vehicle” for knowledge acquisition

Rotorcraft Flight (Yr3)

Vertical and roll axis response of UH-60 helicopter, lab class with test pilot

Flight Awareness (Yr1)Hands on experience of general aircraft handling, take-off, circuits, approach & landing, stall, spin

Flight Handling Qualities (Yr4)

Problem Based Learning Module

Flight Control Systems (Yr3)Design state feedback controller and proportional feedback controller for an unstable aircraft, evaluated in HELIFLIGHT by students “flying” their designs

Final Year Research Projects

(Yr3 and 4)

HEADSTARTYr 12 Schools

Activity


Flight Handling Qualities (FHQ) – A Problem Based Learning Module

• Goal is to identify HQ deficiencies and fix them

• Teams working on different aircraft with different role

• ‘interactive’ lectures on HQ theory and practice

• pbl surgeries• personal learning journal,

— Knowledge & Skills, Intellectual abilities, practical & transferable skills

— Technical leaflets, meeting notes• team building exercises• ‘before and after’ simulation trials with

visiting test pilots• team report and presentations to

‘customer’ group (QinetiQ staff)• Brings together material from a large

numbers of modules taken over the 4 years

Module Research Aircraft


FHQ Practical Example – Wright Flyer Stability

Improved?

DesignDetermine optimum section

Select IdeaChanges to wing

Success in Design?

Implement OfflineUse software to see

if stability is improved

Implement on Simulator

Need Stability,

brainstorm solutions

SUCCESS!(stable)

FAILURE(aircraft cannotpull out of turn)

YES NO

YESNO


FHQ Practical Example – Wright Flyer Stability

Improved?

DesignDetermine optimum section

Select IdeaChanges to wing

Success in Design?

Implement OfflineUse software to see

if stability is improved

Implement on Simulator

Need Stability,

brainstorm solutions

SUCCESS!(stable)

FAILURE(unstable)

YES NO

YESNO


CDIO vs. Conventional Module

In touch with reality

Increased feedback

Student feedback

More engagingIncreased responsibility

Visible end productIncreased skills

development


Undergraduate Research – Building on Industrially Relevant Projects (below)

Rotary WingRotary WingTail rotor failures - control concepts, Simulating Helicopter Engine Off Landings, Helicopters in Steep Descent, Encounters with fixed-wing aircraft vortices, Puma helicopter development, Fairey Rotodyne

Display Systems & Visual PerceptionDisplay Systems & Visual PerceptionInvestigation into How Peripheral Vision Affects Situation Awareness in Flight, Visual perception in fixed wing/rotary wing approaches

Fixed WingFixed WingModel development:Grob, B747, Space Shuttle, Bristol Boxkite, X-29Jetstream, Centaur Seaplane

Tilt-rotorTilt-rotorPitch/Flight Path Handling Qualities of Tilt Rotor Aircraft, High Altitude Assessment of Dutch Roll Stability, Actuator Failure Analysis with Turbulent Encounters, Lateral Handling Qualities of the XV-15 Tilt-rotor

Simulation FidelitySimulation FidelityAdaptive Pilot Model For Simulation Fidelity Assessment – Yaw Axis Manoeuvres, Evaluation of Low Cost Flight Simulator – Fixed and Rotary Wing

• Modelling & SimulationModelling & Simulation– Simulation & modelling of fixed and rotary wing aircraft flight dynamics– Simulation fidelity; development of criteria and validation methods for rotary wing aircraft – Helicopter interactions with turbulent wakes, vortex wakes of fixed wing aircraft and ship airwakes

– Flight envelope expansion of rotary wing aircraft through modelling and simulation

• Aircraft HQ and Flight ControlAircraft HQ and Flight Control– Robust / H-infinity optimal control theory– Helicopter control and handling qualities research, including control problems with underslung loads, handling qualities in degraded conditions and structural load alleviation concepts

• Advanced ConfigurationsAdvanced Configurations– Handling qualities and control of tilt rotor aircraft – development of handling qualities criteria, flight control systems, control laws and structural load alleviation issues– Aircraft-pilot couplings and pilot in the loop oscillations; criteria and design solutions

• Visual Perception and DisplaysVisual Perception and Displays– Design of vision aids for fixed wing and rotary wing flight in degraded visual environments– Pilot-vehicle interface technologies

Allows students to engage with “real-world” problems


Schools Activities - HEADSTART

• HEADSTART: Part of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Best Programme

• Summer school for Year 12 students• Aims:

– Demonstrate what science and engineering is about

– To experience undergraduate life prior to applying to UCAS

– Insight into future careers• Aerospace Focus Programme at Liverpool

based on Wright 1903 Flyer simulations

PBL modules can be readily adapted for schools activities


HEADSTART - Programme• Handling Qualities Improvements to Wright 1903 Flyer• 40 students working in teams • Laboratory exercises

– Wind tunnel testing– Simulation & Modelling– Control

• Simulator Sessions– Test pilot for evaluation of initial and upgraded model – Design of Mission Task Elements– Modelling & implementation

• Presentation– To other students and members of Academic staff– Analysis of deficiencies– Effect of modifications


HEADSTART – Results

Sometimes all does not go to plan……..

..but debriefing with a Test Pilot gives studentsthe opportunity to re-evaluate their work and learn from their mistakes


HEADSTART – Results

• Handling Qualities deficiencies identified

• Modifications improved Handling Qualities Ratings

• By course end, students tackled problems they did not think they were are able to do at the beginning of the course

• 88% of students indicated Headstart confirmed their choice for studying Engineering at University

• 90% of students would include UoL as a UCAS choice0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Stall Right Tracking Landing Average

HQ

R 19032006

Engine Moved

Canard movedWinglets


Summary & Future Developments

• Students find the PBL experience more engaging than “traditional” modules and allows them to develop more both intellectually and personally

• Modules can be readily adapted for different audiences

• Number of undergraduate modules with PBL & flight simulation content will continue to grow

• Development of new PBL modules

• Expand and enhance current simulation facilities

• Consolidation of knowledge acquisition from a wider range of modules

Seeing and feeling the future A ROLE FOR FLIGHT SIMULATION IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION Dr Mark D White,...

Documents

Transcript of Seeing and feeling the future A ROLE FOR FLIGHT SIMULATION IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION Dr Mark D White,...