Methods for Subscale Flight Testing and Analytics, MESTA

Purpose and goal

The aim of the project was to investigate how flight testing of sub-scale prototypes should be conduct within the "Line-of-sight" in order be compliant with regulations Civil Aviation Administration regulations, and to develop cooperation with Brazilian universities. This has been realized by developing pre-programs flight maneuvers, visualization and analysis tools for flight test data and flight tests on different sub-scale models to validate the methods. The cooperation has been good, some issues due to late release of funds in Brazil, leading to a gap in time schedules.

Expected results and effects

Five main results were developed, methods for adapting sub-scale models for efficient flight tests, methods for planning and execution flight tests of sub-scale models, effective analysis and visualization of flight test results, flight test results and control laws for flight tests. A number of publications have been produced presenting the results. Another results is the expertise that has built up, and which will contribute to education of new engineers and new skills to the industry. Contact and support for EU project Flexop is an outcome that was not calculated.

Planned approach and implementation

Saab and Liu have together planned the work on the Swedish side. Collaboration with Brasilian has been via video conferences and meeting at conference / workshop. LiU has carried out the basic work through a Ph.D. student, Saab has reviewed and evaluated with LiU. The Ph.D. student has been in Brazil on two occasions to contribute with support and exchange of experience. A common SharePoint site has been used for data exchange and storage. Wallenberg Endowed Professor has been an important link in the collaboration. Alignment changes and adjustments have been implemented in co-planning.