Modelling and Simulation of Air Vehicles

Course structure

This intensive five-day course combines lectures, hands-on sessions, and industry case studies. Participants gain practical experience with Cranfield's Future Flight Simulator and advanced computational tools. The curriculum covers air vehicle dynamics simulation, eVTOL modelling, certification by simulation, MAV, and digital twin technology. 

If the number of students is sufficient, a flight experience on our Saab340B can be arranged.

What you will learn

Upon completion of this course, delegates will be able to:

• Develop and implement advanced mathematical models for a range of air vehicles (fixed-wing, eVTOLs, micro-aerial vehicles) using industry-standard tools like MATLAB and SIMULINK, incorporating techniques such as equilibrium analysis, linearization, and stability assessment.
• Design, construct, and manage real-time simulation frameworks and environments, applying state-of-the-art computational tools for aerospace simulation and visualization.
• Perform rigorous model testing, verification, and validation procedures, drawing from real-world rotorcraft and tiltrotor experiences to ensure high-fidelity simulations.
• Analyse and interpret non-linear motion in modern air vehicles, applying multidisciplinary approaches to solve complex aerospace engineering problems and critically evaluate results.
• Create and improve digital twin models for various aircraft types, including micro-aerial vehicles, demonstrating proficiency in virtual prototyping and emerging simulation technologies.
• Conduct advanced experiments using cutting-edge facilities like the Future Flight Simulator, gaining practical experience in applying theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios.
• Bridge the gap between academic research and industrial applications in aerospace simulation, adapting to emerging trends and preparing for leadership roles in both sectors.

Additionally, participants will have access to our fixed-wing aircraft model dataset and real flight test data from the Saab 340B.

Core content

• Key knowledge in mathematical aircraft modelling
• Systems of nonlinear ODEs (MATLAB and SIMULINK)
• Equilibrium, linearization, and stability
• Trimming and numerical linearization
• Rigorous procedure of modelling validation using rotorcraft and tiltrotor experience
• eVTOL modelling experience (Joby X4)
• Micro-Aerial-Vehicle modelling and Digital-Twin model improvement (<30g)
• Numerical and computational tools
• Simulation Framework setup and real-time simulation capabilities
• Certification by Simulation
• Experiments on the Future Flight Simulator

Who should attend

This course is ideal for aerospace engineers, flight dynamics specialists, control systems engineers, and simulation experts who wish to enhance their skills in aircraft modelling and simulation. It is particularly suitable for professionals working in the aerospace industry, research institutions, or government agencies involved in aircraft design, testing, or certification. The course content is also valuable for graduate students and researchers in aerospace engineering or related fields who are interested in advancing their knowledge of modern simulation techniques. While the course focuses on fixed-wing aircraft, the principles covered are applicable to a wide range of air vehicles, making it relevant for those working on rotorcraft, eVTOLs, and micro-aerial vehicles as well.

Speakers

Cranfield University

Dr Linghai Lu (Module leader) - Senior Lecturer in Flight Dynamics and Simulation has extensive decades-long experience in modelling and simulation in the rotor-wing sector with platforms like PUMA, Bo105, Bell412, AW109, XV15, and eVTOL types – including the Generic Lilium Style, ASTON Martin Volante, among others. Dr Lu plans to integrate elements of this expertise into the course contents.

Invited Guest Speaker

Professor Gareth Padfield, Professor of Aerospace Engineering at The University of Liverpool, has made extensive contributions to rotorcraft flight mechanics and handling qualities, much of which is reported in his book Helicopter Flight Dynamics (3rd edition, 2018, HFD3). He was a key member of the international team that developed ADS-33, leading the UK contributions from 1983 to 1996, for which he received the TTCP achievement award in 1996. Padfield also led the UK government team in developing handling qualities requirements for the UK attack helicopter and future maritime rotorcraft. In 1999, he established the Flight Science and Technology Research Group at Liverpool, acquiring the HELIFLIGHT and HELIFLIGHT-R flight simulators. Using these facilities, he spearheaded Liverpool's contributions to the handling qualities requirements for the European Civil Tilt Rotor through various Framework projects from 2000 to 2012. Additionally, Padfield initiated research programs in helicopter-ship dynamic interface simulation, advanced control/display laws, and simulation fidelity.

Concessions

20% discount for Cranfield Alumni. 
10% discount when registering 3 or more delegates, from the same organisation at the same time.  

Accommodation fees are not included in the discount scheme. Please ask about our discount scheme at time of booking.

Accommodation options and prices

This course is non-residential. If you would like to book accommodation on campus, please contact Mitchell Hall or Cranfield Management Development Centre directly. Further information about our on campus accommodation can be found here.  Alternatively you may wish to make your own arrangements at a nearby hotel. 

Location and travel

Cranfield University is situated in Bedfordshire close to the border with Buckinghamshire. The University is located almost midway between the towns of Bedford and Milton Keynes and is conveniently situated between junctions 13 and 14 of the M1.

London Luton, Stansted and Heathrow airports are 30, 90 and 90 minutes respectively by car, offering superb connections to and from just about anywhere in the world. 

Location address

Cranfield University
College Road
Cranfield
Bedford 
MK43 0AL