Modeling, Simulation and System Identification of a Tilt-Wing Aircraft

A simulation framework is essential for the development of a hybrid-electric tilt-wing aircraft such as Dufour Aerospace's Aero2 drone. The tilt-wing design with its complex interaction effects between the propellers and the aerodynamic surfaces presents unique modeling challenges, especially during early stages of development when only limited data is available. Furthermore, a delicate balance between accuracy and performance must be found while keeping complexity low to allow for rapid development. This paper introduces a modular design approach for a simulation framework, details the aero-propulsive models and shows ways to validate them using flight data and a system identification approach. By implementing models that capture all relevant effects, the framework helps building a deeper understanding for the dynamics of individual systems, serves as a basis for the design of the flight controller and offers capabilities for pilot training and hardware testing.