Calculation of aircraft’s aerodynamic loads using flight data records

Abstract

From the point of view of assessing the aircraft in the field of flight mechanics interesting are loads acting on it. The ability to plan and then coordinate the use of engine thrust and control surfaces to make appropriate changes to aircraft’s thrust, drag, lift and weight are key factors in assessing its performance. The balance between these forces must always be controlled during the flight, and better the understanding of them (these forces) and how to control them, the greater the pilot’s skill in operating the aircraft. The article presents a method of determining these loads using records from the on-board flight data recorder. Aerodynamic loads acting on the aircraft during take-off were determined in the article based on mathematical methods and experimental flight mechanics equations. The key element of this work is computer software, developed based on equations mentioned above, which allows to calculate the loads. The use of appropriate flight mechanics equations allowed to obtain results in the form of aerodynamic loads – lift, drag and friction – acting on the aircraft during take-off. Work results can be used together with a computer program in operational practice. The results were obtained based on parameters from the flight data recorder. The equations and methodology presented in the article have enabled the development of a computer tool that allows calculation of aerodynamic loads and determination of aircraft’s characteristics.