TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS) A potentially key element of meeting NASA?s objective of dramatically increasing aviation system capacity is the utilization of runway independent aircraft (RIAs) to provide feeder service to major airports. Among the challenges in enabling high-volume terminal area RIA operations are identifying potential hazards of this flight regime and developing simulation technology for a complex aeromechanical environment involving the interaction of multiple types of air vehicles (e.g, RIA, fixed-wing,V/STOL). Fast, high-fidelity full-vehicle aeromechanical models and simulation tools are thus needed for RIAs that may be used in such roles. To meet this need, a suite of physics-based tools are being developed that capture challenging problems such as vortex wake encounters, modeling the airwakes of structures/terrain, ?self-interactions? such as vortex ring state, full vehicle gust response, and surface/ground vortex effects. Key technical innovations include novel fast viscous/turbulent wake decay methodologies tailored to RIAs, coupled with state of the art Real Time Free Wake simulation capabilities of CDI?s CHARM full-aircraft analysis. The effort will yield a Multiple Aircraft Simulation Tool (MAST) that will permit both off-line assessment and on-line, real-time flight simulation of RIA and non-RIA vehicles for flight planning, operational training, and evaluation of pilot workload and situational awareness requirements.
POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS This new simulation technology would help government agencies and airport management determine safe trajectories and pilot workload for RIAs in terminal area flight as well as assess the impact of wake vortex interactions on IFR spacing requirements. Industry would use this tool to support design and analysis of new RIA concepts or applications, as well as assist development of next generation control system and flight director aids. Also, this new capability would directly support flight training activities by simulation manufacturers, aircraft operators, and the military services.
NAME AND ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (Name, Organization Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip) Daniel A. Wachspress Continuum Dynamics, Inc. 34 Lexington Avenue Ewing , NJ 08618 - 2302
NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR (Firm Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip) Continuum Dynamics, Inc. 34 Lexington Avenue Ewing , NJ 08618 - 2302