Flight testing the Flying V with Aeroprobe flowmeters

In the summer of 2020, the scale model of the Flying-V made a successful first flight. In July 2020, a team from TU Delft travelled to an airbase in Germany for a test week with an Airbus team. There the scale model of 22.5 kg and 3 meters in length flew for the first time.

During the test the scale model was controlled via a radio connection. To do a good test, the aircraft had to take off, perform a number of test manoeuvres and land when the batteries are almost empty. With this, the project team wanted to demonstrate that the aircraft can perform a sustainable flight based on predicted flight mechanical behaviour. And collect the first set of data on flight characteristics.

Flying and testing at the same time

During testing, the team received all the data sent by the Flying-V about speed, altitude and angles of the aircraft. The flight itself lasted only five minutes. Despite the short flight time, the researchers are more than satisfied with the first flight test.

The flight provided a lot of interesting data and insights, such as:

• The rotation on takeoff was simple and happened at a speed of 80 km/h. The thrust of the aircraft was good and the flight speeds and angles were as predicted;
• The center of gravity of the aircraft is a little further back than was calculated. The team placed extra weight in the nose for the flight and put the landing gear a little further forward. If the center of gravity of the model aircraft is not in the right place, the aircraft can become unstable;
• The current design shows 'wobbles', also called Dutch Roll. This makes it difficult to keep the wings flat and the landing was quite rough. Aerodynamic calculations had already predicted this, but now that these have been confirmed, the team can adjust the scale model accordingly. Without the use of accurate flow measurement sensors, especially side-slip angle, this type of motion is difficult to identify and to calculate how coupled it is and what can be done to solve it;

Flying with scale models is important because researchers only really know how an aircraft behaves when it is flown in dynamic conditions. The team uses the insights from the tests for further development of the Flying-V. For example, by applying a damping system - which normal aircraft often also have - or by changing the design of the winglets. The TU Delft team will use the collected research data from the flight to create an aerodynamic model of the aircraft. Using the model they will calculate exactly how to modify the aircraft. The aircraft will also be prepared for new flight tests. For example, the nose landing gear needs to be repaired. During the next test flight, the Aeroprobe airflow measurement system is used again to collect relevant data.