Aircraft Upset and Recovery Simulation with the DLR Robot Motion Simulator

Abstract

Aiming at providing a more accessible alternative platform for upset recovery training and research, the feasibility of adapting the German Aerospace Center (DLR)'s Robot Motion Simulator is studied with use of the Fokker 100 extended flight dynamics model developed earlier. Adjustments are made to the S-function in the simulation software setup for better preserving the dynamic motions in stall and post-stall conditions. The configuration of the simulator with a cabin located on the top of a KUKA industrial robot arm provides seven axis of movement freedom, greatly enlarging the motion capability in comparison to the conventional hexapod simulators. Virtually all nominal ight conditions can be simulated well with the current setup; and with a slight modification of one axis for continuous rotations, the simulator shows good capability of reproducing the motions experienced in aircraft upset conditions and recovery maneuvers.