Futuristic aircraft soaring through a data-filled sky, symbolizing safety and innovation through virtual testing.

Soaring to New Heights: How Virtual Testing is Revolutionizing Aircraft Design

"Discover how virtual testing is transforming aircraft high lift systems, making air travel safer and more efficient for everyone."


In the quest for safer and more efficient air travel, the aviation industry is constantly evolving. One of the most promising advancements is the use of virtual testing, which leverages computer simulations to analyze and refine aircraft designs. This approach is particularly impactful in the development of high lift systems, crucial components that enhance an aircraft's ability to take off and land safely.

Traditional methods of aircraft testing involve physical models and real-time simulations, such as test rigs and functional integration benches. While these methods have served the industry well, they can be time-consuming and costly. As aircraft systems become increasingly complex, driven by the need for improved efficiency, the limitations of traditional testing methods become more apparent. This is where virtual testing steps in, offering a complementary and often more efficient alternative.

Virtual testing not only addresses the challenges of complexity and shortened development cycles but also introduces a new level of precision and insight into aircraft performance. By creating detailed computer models, engineers can simulate various flight conditions and identify potential issues early in the design process. This proactive approach helps mitigate risks, reduce development costs, and ultimately enhance the safety and reliability of aircraft.

The Power of Virtual Testing in High Lift Systems

Futuristic aircraft soaring through a data-filled sky, symbolizing safety and innovation through virtual testing.

Virtual testing employs sophisticated computer simulations of physical models. This method significantly improves the verification and certification process of an aircraft's high lift system. The growing complexity of aircraft systems, driven by the need for better efficiency, coupled with ever-decreasing development times, necessitates extending traditional testing methods. Virtual testing provides an equivalent, additional test means alongside established physical methods such as test rigs and real-time simulators.

For virtual testing to be effective, highly representative, reliable, and efficient computer models are essential. This requires a Simulation Data- and Process-Management (SDPM) system that ensures a completely traceable simulation lifecycle management throughout the aircraft's development. The High Lift System Test Portal (HLSVT Portal) was developed based on COTS Software (SimManager) to link simulation results with the models used to generate them. It also manages the post-processing of simulation results and traces the creation of models by capturing model inputs and driving the modeling process.

Key benefits of the HLSVT Portal include:
  • Linking simulation results to their corresponding models.
  • Managing the post-processing of simulation results.
  • Tracing the creation of models by capturing model inputs.
  • Driving the modeling process efficiently.
The integration of virtual testing into the overall departmental testing process is facilitated by an interface to the software used for global test planning, coordination, and administration, known as the Test Management System. This interface imports definitions of tests to be performed and uploads post-processed simulation results for system requirement evaluation. This establishes traceability between system requirements, evaluation data, and the models and processes used to produce this data. The current implementation focuses on efficient test variation conduction and post-processing, using a combination of spreadsheet-like definitions (Excel) and mathematical software (Matlab) integrated into the HLSVT Portal to evaluate simulation results.

The Future of Flight Testing

Virtual testing represents a significant leap forward in aircraft design and certification. By combining physical and virtual tests, the aviation industry can overcome the challenges of increasing system complexity and shortened development timelines. This approach not only enhances the efficiency and traceability of the testing process but also ensures that aircraft are safer, more reliable, and better equipped to meet the demands of modern air travel.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.4271/2013-01-2280, Alternate LINK

Title: Virtual Testing Of High Lift Systems

Journal: SAE Technical Paper Series

Publisher: SAE International

Authors: Tobias Ulmer, Jaymeen Amin

Published: 2013-09-17

Everything You Need To Know

1

How does virtual testing enhance the development and validation process for aircraft high lift systems?

Virtual testing uses computer simulations of physical models to improve the verification and certification of an aircraft's high lift system. It offers a way to address challenges in complexity and development times. This approach uses a Simulation Data- and Process-Management (SDPM) system to maintain a traceable simulation lifecycle. This ensures a structured process is followed.

2

What role does the High Lift System Test Portal (HLSVT Portal) play in virtual testing, and how does it integrate with other systems?

The HLSVT Portal (High Lift System Test Portal) is built on COTS Software (SimManager) and plays a central role. It links simulation results with their corresponding models, manages post-processing of these results, traces the creation of models by capturing model inputs, and efficiently drives the modeling process. The Test Management System integrates with the HLSVT Portal. This establishes traceability between system requirements, evaluation data, and the models.

3

What are the primary differences between traditional aircraft testing methods and virtual testing?

Traditional aircraft testing methods rely on physical models and real-time simulations, using tools like test rigs and functional integration benches. Virtual testing uses computer models to simulate flight conditions early in the design process. Virtual testing offers advantages over physical testing, including increased precision, the ability to identify potential issues earlier, and lower costs. Virtual testing extends traditional testing methods.

4

How does the integration of tools like Excel and Matlab within the HLSVT Portal contribute to efficient test conduction and post-processing of simulation results?

The HLSVT Portal's integration with the Test Management System enables efficient test variation conduction and post-processing. It uses tools like spreadsheet-like definitions (Excel) and mathematical software (Matlab) to evaluate simulation results. The key is to provide traceability between system requirements, evaluation data, and the models and processes used to produce this data. This allows for an efficient loop of testing and validation.

5

What are the long-term implications of virtual testing for the future of flight testing and aircraft safety?

Virtual testing represents a forward leap in aircraft design and certification by addressing increased system complexity and shorter development timelines. The aviation industry is combining physical and virtual tests to meet the demands of modern air travel. Virtual testing can improve efficiency and traceability in the testing process and ultimately ensure that aircraft are safer and more reliable.

Newsletter Subscribe

Subscribe to get the latest articles and insights directly in your inbox.