Innovative methods to reduce pilot workload in transformative VTOL aircraft
Host institution
Politecnico di Milano (Italy)
Supervisors
Co-tutoring institution
Delft University of Technology (The Netherlands)
Start date
Strictly before end of May 2017
Duration
36 months
Gross salary
39.820,00 € per year
Work location
Mainly Milano (Italy) and Liverpool (UK) or Delft (The Netherlands)
Objective
Transformative Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft can operate over a broad flight envelope. The ability to hover like a helicopter and at the same time to fly at relatively high cruise speeds and range like a fixed wing aircraft make them an effective point-to-point fast means of transportation. Their multi-role capability not only make them ideal for urban air mobility but also for energy & medical services and search & rescue missions. Tiltrotor, is an example of a transformative VTOL aircraft and is the only rotary transformative VTOL aircraft in service.
Control strategies dramatically change with flight conditions and aircraft configurations. Moreover, the multi-role capability with large flight envelope pose various technical challenges in designing an aircraft to perform adequately over a wide range of aircraft configurations. These technical challenges include Pilot Induced Oscillations (PIO) and Pilot Assisted Oscillations (PAO), structural loads and high workload specially during conversion maneuvers.
The aim of this project is to develop a high order flight dynamics model that can be used in real time with pilot-in-loop simulations and to design novel nonlinear control allocation techniques for transformative VTOL aircraft, using tiltrotor as a reference aircraft. The goal is to address the technical challenges associated with transformative VTOL aircraft at a conceptual design phase. Thereby, improving the overall safety and control of the transformative VTOL aircraft.
Research profile
This researcher will be working at the Politecnico di Milano together with University of Liverpool to obtain a double doctorate award. The ESR will develop skills in aeromechanics modelling and simulation, and the development of real-time models to be used as flight-simulator mathematical engines. Additionally, the researcher will work on the development of Flight control algorithm and on the set up of flight simulator systems and test.
During the research, secondments are planned with Leonardo Helicopter division to gain an insight into tiltrotor operation and at Max-Plank Institute to discuss aspects related to pilot workload associated with inceptors configurations. The ESR will also engage and share knowledge with other ESRs as part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Innovative Training Network – NITROS.
Research field
• Rotorcraft
• Flight simulation
• Human machine interface
• Flight control systems
• Ergonomics
Requirements
• Degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering
• Experience with human control and automation
• Experience with multibody dynamics
• Strong background in control theory
• Ability to program in C/C++/Matlab
Type of contract
The successful ESR applicant will be offered a 3-year full-time funded contract by Politecnico di Milano.
Additional Eligibility criteria
English language (IELTS overall score 6.5; no sub-test less than 6.0)
