Flight Dynamics and System Identification for Modern Feedback Control

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Ornithopter test platform characterizations

Abstract:

The form and structure of mathematical models describing conventional aircraft flight dynamics are well known; however, it is not obvious whether these same models can be used to describe the flight dynamics of ornithopters. This chapter presents experimental investigations into flapping-wing flight using an ornithopter test platform. Standard nomenclature for describing aircraft flight dynamics is introduced, followed by a description of the ornithopter test platform. Afterwards, flight data is presented that exhibits nonlinear phenomenon including fast and large amplitude motions, as well as limit cycle oscillations. The mass distribution of the ornithopter is then explored, and it is ...