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An overview of experiments on the dynamic sensitivity of MAVs to turbulence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 February 2016

A. Watkins ,
M. Thompson ,
M. Shortis ,
R. Segal ,
M. Abdulrahim  and
J. Sheridan
A. Watkins
Affiliation:
[email protected]
M. Thompson
Affiliation:
RMIT University, Australia
M. Shortis
Affiliation:
RMIT University, Australia
R. Segal
Affiliation:
RMIT University, Australia
M. Abdulrahim
Affiliation:
University of Florida, Florida, USA
J. Sheridan
Affiliation:
Monash University, Australia
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Abstract

Aspects of the turbulent wind environment Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs) experience when flying outdoors were replicated in a large wind tunnel. An overview of the facility, instrumentation and initial flight tests is given. Piloting inputs and aircraft accelerations were recorded on fixed and rotary wing MAVs and for some tests, measurements of the approach flow (u,v,w sampled at 1,250Hz at four laterally disposed upstream locations) were made. The piloting aim was to hold straight and level flight in the 12m wide × 4m high × ~50m long test section, while flying in a range of turbulent conditions. The Cooper-Harper rating system showed that a rotary craft was less sensitive to the effects of turbulence compared to the fixed wing craft and that while the fixed wing aircraft was relatively easy to fly in smooth air, it became extremely difficult to fly under high turbulence conditions. The rotary craft, while more difficult to fly per. se., did not become significantly harder to fly in relatively high turbulence levels. However the rotary craft had a higher mass and MOI than the fixed wing craft and further work is planned to understand the effects of these differences.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 114 , Issue 1158 , August 2010 , pp. 485 - 492
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2010 

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