This paper presents the design of software simulation VIFS for insect flight. In particular, it is intended to estimate flight control algorithms and performance for a Micromechanical Flying Insect (MFI), a 10-25 mm (wingtip-to-wingtip) device eventually capable of sustained autonomous flight. The VIFS is an end-to-end tool composed of several modular blocks which model the actuators dynamics, ...

Insects exhibit unparalleled and incredibly robust flight dynamics in the face of uncertainties. A fundamental principle contributing to this amazing behavior is rapid processing and convergence of visual sensory information to flight motor commands via spatial wide-field integration. Within the control-theoretic framework presented here, a model for wide-field integration of retinal image flow...

The influence of flexibility on the flight of autorotating winged seedpods is examined through an experimental investigation of tumbling rectangular paper strips freely falling in air. Our results suggest the existence of a critical length above which the wing bends. We develop a theoretical model that demonstrates that this buckling is prompted by inertial forces associated with the tumbling m...

A novel low-cost flight simulator with the development goals cost effectiveness and high performance has been realized for meeting the huge pilot training needs of airlines. The simulator consists of an aircraft dynamics model, a sophisticated designed low-profile electrical driven motion system with a subsided cabin, a mixed reality based semi-virtual cockpit system, a control loading system a...

This paper describes the development of a parameterized model for a small-scale unmanned helicopter (Yamaha R-50 with 10 ft rotor diameter) and its identification using a frequency domain identification technique. The model explicitly accounts for the stabilizer bar, which has a strong influence on the flight dynamics characteristics. The accuracy of the identified model is verified by comparin...

This mixed methods study examined the effect of Astronaut Challenge, an immersive, flight-simulation-based learning program, on the collaborative learning process and science knowledge development of high-school students (9 graders). The study findings suggested that simulation-based collaborative learning activities promoted students’ scientific understanding about the dynamics of the space fl...

This paper describes a modelling approach to the dynamics of the airplane flight aimed at designing and realizing a simple but realistic ‘‘flight simulator,’’ able to mimic the longitudinal behaviour of a real airplane. The model is implemented by using the Interactive Physics simulation environment. The simulator is used to reproduce all the phases of a complete flight of a light commercial ai...

A reliable and fast method of predicting complex aerodynamic coefficients for flight simulation is presented using neural networks. The training data for the neural network is derived from numerical simulations and wind-tunnel experiments. The aerodynamic coefficients are modeled as functions of the flow characteristics and the control surfaces of the vehicle. The basic coefficients of lift, dr...

The Atmospheric Interceptor Technology (ATT) program (formerly Endo LEAP) is focused on demonstrating strapdown seekers and strapdown guidance for very small miss distance intercepts at very high velocities against ballistic missiles within the atmosphere. This is being accomplished by advancing state-of-the-art technologies for small, lightweight, highly integrated kinetic energy kill vehicles...

This paper introduces the Global-Local Mapping Approximation algorithm as a candidate for identifying nonlinear, six degree-of-freedom rigid body aircraft dynamics. The technique models the nonlinear dynamical model as a sum of linear model and nonlinear model. The linear model dynamics are assumed to be perturbed by a nonlinear term which represents the system nonlinearities that are not captu...