Support of icing flight tests by near real-time data analysis

Abstract

Flight testing of aircraft with altered aerodynamic configuration is a safety critical and time consuming task. For the evaluation of the aircraft characteristics under SLD icing conditions, flight tests with artificial ice shapes were performed. These flight tests were supported by online algorithms for the estimation of aerodynamic parameters. Results were available in near real-time onboard the aircraft or already during the debriefing on ground. Pre-flight data from wind tunnel experiments could be confirmed already during the flight using these online analysis tools, thus the flight tests could be performed in shorter time and more safe. This paper will introduce the developed analysis tools and will present results from the flight test campaign.