We study the multi-disciplinary aspects related to atmospheric flight. In particular, we address the problems related to getting a vehicle off the ground, keeping it safely airborne, and controlling it back to Earth. We analyse the perfomance of the vehicle, or any of its sub-systems, at all flight conditions (design and off-design).

Aerodynamics is a key factor in flight, but it is not the only one. Without controls and actuators no vehicle would be capable of taking off. Hence, we study stability and control, i.e. the relationships between the aerodynamic loads on the aircraft and the control inputs required to maintain a stable flight or perform a manoeuvre. Likewise, without a suitable propulsion system, no vehicle would be capable of performing airborne operations. Thus, our interest expands to propulsion physics, the effects of external factors on propulsion and the integration between a propulsion model and the vehicle.

We have developed state-of-the-art aero-flight mechanics software for the prediction of fixed- and rotary wing aircraft performance. Some of this software is now made available to scientists, engineers, students and the public at large.

FLIGHT

FLIGHT is comprehensive code for the prediction of operational performance of fixed-wing aircraft, with particular focus on commercial aircraft.

Although the FLIGHT code is fully multi-disciplinary, one of its main strengths is its environmental capability in the following areas:

• Emissions as function of passengers, payload and range.
  
• Optimum fuel planning, with five options for fuel reserves.
  
• Landing and take-off (LTO) emissions.
  
• Noise trajectories at FAR points
• Noise footprints for single-event aircraft movements.
  
• Aircraft noise from stacking patterns.
  
• Contrail formation and contrail avoidance paths.
  

Thee are various optimization modules that allow, among other things, to estimate the best fuel load in the presence of fuel price differentials (tankering) and costs index (based on time, fuel costs and environmental taxes). The code can be further used for noise trajectory optimization, minimum ground emissions, etc. Typical applications include:

• Trajectory Optimization & Route Planning
• Mission Analysis and Field Performance
  
• Environmental Emissions and Fuel Costs
• Aircraft Noise Trajectories
  
• Noise Impact around Airports
  
• Airframe-Engine Integration
  
• Systems Analysis
  
• Thermo-Physics and Dynamics
  
• Verification of Performance Data
  
• Competition Analysis
  
• Trade-off Studies
  
• Air Accident Investigation
  
• Training & Professional Development
  
• Engineering Consultancy
  
• Special Projects

The code can interface with finite-element codes for the analysis of systems such as tyres, or with CFD codes for wing aerodynamics and jet dispersion.

The role of FLIGHT is to promote a step change in the prediction and analysis of aircraft flight performance, through physical principles and rigorous validation across disciplines.

The FLIGHT code is continuously validated to the strictest criteria, and produces results of industry standard. Learn More.