A Novel Integrated Flight Simulation Framework: From Actuators to High-Fidelity Dynamics to Flight Visualization

This work adopts a modular approach to develop an integrated flight simulation framework to visualize and observe the effect of internal changes in aircraft components. The proposed framework includes a comprehensive aileron model as a component of the six-degree-of-freedom aircraft dynamics model of the Lift+Cruise Generalized Urban Air Mobility Model developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The aileron angle command from the aircraft model is used as a control input for the aileron model, from which an aileron angle response is obtained. In return, this angle response affects the aircraft's flight dynamics and trajectory. The integrated system is connected to the FlightGear Flight Simulator to visualize the attitude change. The developed framework offers an integrated flight simulation, allowing the assessment of time delays, and changes in flight dynamics (velocity, bank angle, and turn rate) to demonstrate the accuracy level. Moreover, further relevant system readings from the aircraft model, such as elevator, and rudder deflections, are compared to showcase the impacts of the aileron model integration into the aircraft model. The results corroborate a proper integration, with little to no compromise in the accuracy of the simulation results, including the reference and tracked aircraft trajectory, and the control input and response of the angle in the aileron model. The developed framework is suitable for motion analysis of a single component in an aircraft, including the overall flight dynamics. This framework also opens the possibility of integrating more components, aiming for a more realistic motion-related analysis of aircraft.