Exploring tandem wing UAS designs for operation in turbulent urban environments. Issue 3 (September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gigacz, Rohan; Mohamed, Abdulghani; Poksawat, Pakorn; Panta, Ashim; Watkins, Simon
• Other Names: Moschetta Jean-Marc guest-editor.; Hattenberger Gautier guest-editor.; de Plinval Henry guest-editor.; Jardin Thierry guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: International journal of micro air vehicles. Volume 10:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 254
• Page End: 261
• Publication Date: 2018-09
• Subjects: Small unmanned air systems -- micro air vehicle -- unmanned air systems -- turbulence; Aerosonde (Drone aircraft) -- Periodicals; Aerospace engineering -- Periodicals; Aerosonde (Drone aircraft); Aerospace engineering; Periodicals; 623.746905
• DOI: 10.1177/1756829318794167
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-8293

Abstract

The stability of small unmanned air systems can be challenged by turbulence during low-altitude flight in cluttered urban environments. This paper explores the benefits of a tandem wing aircraft configuration with the implementation of a pressure-based phase-advanced turbulence sensory system on a small unmanned air system for gust mitigation. The objective was to utilise passive and active methods to minimise gust-induced perturbations. Experimentation in repeatable turbulence within a wind tunnel's test section was conducted. The experiments focus on the roll axis, which is isolated through a specially designed roll-axis rig. The results show improvement over conventional aircraft. This work is part of a larger research project aimed at enabling safe, stable and steady small unmanned air systems flight in urban environments.