Investigation of Certification Considerations for Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP) Aircraft

Efforts from the first year of a multi-year investigation examining the use of estimation of both remaining vehicle control power margins and external environmental disturbances for distributed electric propulsion (DEP) vehicles as a contributor for vehicle certification are described. This study combines simulation of DEP aircraft with experimental testing of representative models in the assessment of algorithms for determining remaining control power margins in real-time operation of these vehicles, to provide a metric for the capability of that vehicle to accommodate operational disturbances and avoid loss of control (LOC) events. The Comprehensive Hierarchical Aeromechanics Rotorcraft Model (CHARM) analysis for aerodynamic interaction effects on these configurations is being used to simulate and characterize vehicle response to disturbances and to applied control inputs throughout its flight envelope. The goal of the effort is to determine the viability of the methods for calculation of remaining control power margins, and to assess the utility of the methods in safety monitoring of DEP flight operations for both manned and unmanned vehicles. This first year of research has shown that application of algorithms for estimating remaining available vehicle control power, and local gust disturbance magnitudes, appear to provide a usable safety assessment for avoiding loss of control (LOC) events for vertical takeoff/distributed electric propulsion (eVTOL/DEP) aircraft. A follow-on research project will expand the algorithm application for control equivalent gust estimation and extraction of local disturbance flows.

  • Record URL:
  • Record URL:
  • Corporate Authors:

    Continuum Dynamics, Incorporated

    Ewing, NJ  United States  08618

    Federal Aviation Administration

    Central Region
    Kansas City, MO  United States  64106

    Federal Aviation Administration

    William J. Hughes Technical Center
    Aviation Research Division
    Atlantic City International Airport, NJ  United States  08405
  • Authors:
    • McKillip Jr, R
    • Wachspress, D
  • Publication Date: 2022-5-1

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Digital/other
  • Edition: Year 1 Final Report
  • Features: Figures; Illustrations; Photos; References;
  • Pagination: 33p

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01853245
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: DOT/FAA/TC-22/15, CDI Report 22-01
  • Contract Numbers: 692M15-20-T-00040
  • Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
  • Created Date: Jul 26 2022 5:11PM