Two main research projects that are developed at the Applied Research Laboratory in Active Controls, Avionics and AeroServoElasticity LARCASE are presented in the area of green aircraft technologies. In the first research project, three sub-projects will be presented in the area of green aircraft modeling and simulation based on flight tests: 1) the development of a high-fidelity simulation model of the Cessna Citation X that is efficient, flexible and responsive for the needs of the research in aerospace, 2) aircraft parameter estimation from flight tests, and 3) the aircraft trajectory prediction using the aero-propulsive model derived from flight tests. This research was realized thanks to the Research Aircraft Flight Simulator (RAFS) that is equipped with the flight dynamics certified at the highest Level D for one of the fastest business jet aircraft Cessna Citation X. The aim of this first research project is to demonstrate a valid methodology that could be used in the Aerospace Industry with the aim to reduce the number of flight tests (thus, their costs) needed to validate the aircraft models.
In the second multidisciplinary project, two sub-projects will be presented in the area of morphing wing for green aircraft technologies development. In both projects, a different morphing wing was designed and manufactured with the aim to reduce drag and to delay the flow transition, therefore the fuel consumption; the morphing wing was equipped in both sub-projects with piezoelectric pressure sensors. The morphing wing shapes were changed using different types of actuation systems, as detailed for each sub-project: 1) classical wing-box equipped with smart material actuators, and 2) regional jet wing equipped with in-house electrical actuators. The multidisciplinary (aerodynamics, structural and controls) research methodologies and results will be presented. All these projects are realized in collaboration with Canadian aerospace companies.
