Investigation of eVTOL Operations in Turbulent Airwake Using Comprehensive Rotorcraft Analysis and Physics-Based Electric Propulsion System Models

Expanding on previous investigations of coupled rotorcraft comprehensive simulation with physics-based electric propulsion models, the research focuses on transient flight operations of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in turbulent environments. Operations in urban environment introduce challenges in approach, takeoff, and landing for eVTOL aircraft in steady wind which are exacerbated by ambient turbulence that affects flight control and power requirements. The study emphasizes the importance of considering power demand variations during the early stages of eVTOL design, highlighting implications for hardware selection in electric propulsion components and explores heat dissipation challenges during high discharge rates at low airspeeds and in turbulent airwake.