As the roles and missions for unmanned aircraft have expanded, so has the need to ensure airworthiness, particularly the flying and handling qualities. Current standards, where they exist, fail to provide guidance for RDT&E activities. This research focuses on developing flying qualities criteria and handling qualities methodologies that can be specifically applied to unmanned aircraft and will support RDT&E. For the purpose of this research, flying qualities are defined as characteristics of the aircraft, such as frequencies, damping ratios, bandwidths, etc. Handling qualities are defined as quantities that assess the ability of the aircraft to complete an assigned mission. The topics of interest for this opportunity include (1) definitions and use of metrics for the purposes of evaluating the handling qualities of unmanned aircraft, (2) establishment of flying qualities criteria that are appropriate for unmanned aircraft, (3) scaling flying/handling qualities for unmanned aircraft of all sizes, and (4) investigations of other methodologies that may assist in assuring the airworthiness of unmanned aircraft.

Reference

Capello E, et al: Preliminary Assessment of Flying and Handling Qualities for Mini-UAVs. Journal of Intelligent and Robotic Systems 65: 43-61, 2012