Our work focuses on the interaction between aircraft configuration, pilots and modern flight system technology. From flight dynamics to unmanned aerial vehicles, from simulation to real flight tests - we analyse, test and develop innovations that will shape the flying of the future. The Flight Control and Simulation department combines skills in system dynamics and control engineering to develop advanced flight control methods and realistic flight simulators.
Until now, our work is primarily simulation-based and covers modeling, flight physics analyses, and flight control of a tilt-wing aircraft, with a special focus on the challenging transition phase. In line with the upcoming experimental research phase, the goal of this thesis is to extend the existing work by bringing the disciplines of flight control and trajectory optimization closer together, exploiting either data from offline optimization or implementing an online algorithm. Your task is to build on a history of flight dynamics and control research for tilt-wing aircraft and extend the current control concept by incorporating data and/or algorithms based on optimal control. After the simulation-based development phase, the concept is transferred and implemented on a new subscale demonstrator configuration. Then, the preparations for the flight tests, where both the on-hardware implementation and in-the-loop tests take place. If time allows, you will also support us with upcoming flight test campaigns and help us with any work that arises there.
Literature research (tilt-wing flight dynamics & control, optimal control, model predictive control)
Transfer the current modeling approach to the target platform
Analyze the performance of the extended flight controller
Implement and test the concept on flight hardware (HiL)
Above average enrolled master student in aerospace engineering or similar
Good knowledge in Matlab/Simulink
Preferably initial experience with optimal control / model predictive control
To this end, we offer numerous training and development opportunities. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are qualified.