Flight Dynamics & Control

Build and analyze six-degree-of-freedom flight dynamics models for fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and UAV platforms using equations of motion and aerodynamic data.

Compute, interpret, and apply aircraft aerodynamic stability and control derivatives for flight mechanics analysis, simulation, and handling qualities assessment.

Design autopilot mode architectures, transition logic, and engagement/disengagement criteria for commercial, military, and UAV flight management systems.

Design, tune, and validate flight control laws for autopilots, fly-by-wire systems, and UAV guidance using classical and modern control theory.

Design and validate flight envelope protection systems including alpha protection, load factor limiting, and high-speed protection for fly-by-wire aircraft.

Design and implement gain-scheduled flight control systems that maintain stability and performance across the full aircraft flight envelope using multi-point linearization.

Evaluate and certify aircraft handling qualities against MIL-HDBK-1797, FAR 25, and CS-25 standards using flight dynamics analysis and pilot-in-the-loop criteria.

Analyze helicopter and tiltrotor flight mechanics, rotor aerodynamics, coupled rotor-body dynamics, and flight envelope performance for rotary-wing aircraft.

Compute aircraft trim conditions and extract linearized state-space models from nonlinear flight simulations for control design and stability analysis.

Design and integrate GNC systems for fixed-wing, multirotor, and hybrid UAVs including waypoint guidance, state estimation, and autonomous flight control loops.