Flight Objectives Research Articles

Evaluation of the EarthSHAB Stratospheric Solar Hot Air Balloon Flight Prediction Model Using Balloon Trajectory Data

Abstract The heliotrope is a solar balloon design which is constructed out of painter’s plastic, and the exterior is coated in charcoal powder. Darkening the plastic gives the balloon a high solar absorptance, which allows it to ascend into the lower stratosphere and float for hours at a time. The balloons have previously been used to lift scientific instruments into the stratosphere to study chemical explosions, earthquakes, and stratospheric aerosols. They have also been proposed as a platform for planetary exploration. Flight predictions are crucial to preflight planning to reduce safety risks and meet flight objectives. However, there exists a wide range of possible flight paths due to varying environmental conditions and solar balloon configurations. EarthSHAB is one such software that was designed to support flight planning using the weather forecasts and balloon properties to predict the flight path of a solar balloon. We compare EarthSHAB-simulated flight paths to a set of observed flight paths for the 3.5-m diameter heliotrope design called the “Cloudskimmer.” Using the criteria that the modeled paths must fall within 5% of the observations to be considered successful, we found that EarthSHAB successfully predicted the Cloudskimmer ascent rate and average float altitude 10% and 90% of the time, respectively. We also found that the average difference in the observed and predicted landing locations was 97 km and landing times were 54 ± 38 min. Significant deviations between the observed and predicted ascent rates and excursions at float were found to be associated with heavy payloads and convective cloud development, respectively. Significance Statement Solar balloons are used to lift scientific instruments into the lower stratosphere for hours at a time to study chemical explosions, earthquakes, stratospheric aerosols, and more. The flight paths of solar balloons can be difficult to predict due to variability in their design and surrounding environment. We evaluate the accuracy of EarthSHAB, a software that predicts the altitude profile and horizontal trajectory of a solar balloon using inputs such as the weather, balloon size, and balloon mass. Our results suggest that for the balloon design used in this study, EarthSHAB is best suited for modeling the behavior of balloons with lightweight payloads that do not fly within or directly above clouds.

Cueing Flight Object Trajectory and Safety Prediction Based on SLAM Technology

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence and robot technology, SLAM technology, as a key component, has been paid more and more attention. SLAM technology enables robots to autonomously navigate, build maps, and achieve accurate positioning in unknown environments, providing strong support for the autonomy and intelligence of robots and unmanned vehicles. In this paper, the position prediction method of flying object based on SLAM technology and the application of EvolveGCN model in behavior prediction are introduced. First, through the fusion of SLAM technology and liDAR data, we can accurately predict the position and movement trajectory of flying objects, thereby improving the safety and efficiency of the system. Secondly, with the EvolveGCN model, we are able to capture dynamic changes in the environment and achieve accurate predictions of the behavior of flying objects. Through experimental verification, the prediction accuracy of our method has been significantly improved in both simulation and real environment, which indicates the feasibility and effectiveness of the method in practical application, and provides an important reference and technical support for the development of autonomous navigation, aerial surveillance and other fields.

Development of combined hypersonic test facility for aerothermodynamic testing.

In this study, a combined test facility was developed using a combination of an arc-jet tunnel and a shock tunnel for aerothermodynamic testing. The performance validation of individual parts was performed, and results were obtained from the combined test. A small-scale Huels-type arc-jet tunnel was used to preheat the test model by aerodynamic heating before conducting the experiments in the shock tunnel to duplicate the hot surfaces of flight objects encountered during hypersonic flight. The high-enthalpy flow in the arc-jet tunnel provided a heat flux of 1.99±0.03 MW/m2 for a flat-faced model of 10 mm diameters, and the flow condition of the shock tunnel used in this study simulated a Mach 5 flight at a pressure altitude of about 24 km. The two combined experiments employing different shape and material models were carried out to examine the effect of aerothermodynamic phenomena. In the first experiment, the effect of ablation-induced shape change on the fluid-structure was investigated using a cone model manufactured of AL6061 material. The effect of surface roughness on the fluid-structure was examined in the second experiment, which used a hemisphere model constructed of STS303 material. Although substantial findings could not be validated due to the limits of qualitative evaluations utilizing visualization methods, however preheating-related changes in surface roughness were found. As a follow-up study, a force measuring experiment based on the test procedures is being carried out at this facility utilizing a preheated model with an accelerometer. The performance and experimental results obtained using this integrated setup are discussed in detail, highlighting the potential of this combined hypersonic test facility.

Improving Pilot Competence Through Flying Practice Learning Using Flight Simulator at the Indonesia Civil Pilot Academy of Banyuwangi

Objective: Indonesia Pilot Academy of Banyuwangi uses simulators to improve pilots' capabilities and maintain their skills. The pilot training process includes theoretical study, flight simulator and practical training. A total of eight simulators are available, including two ALSIMs and three each of the Redbird TD2 and FMX 1000. Using a simulator reduces the risk of flying in realistic conditions. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to measure the degree of effectiveness of practical flight learning, assess students' perceptions of practical flight learning, and analyze the impact of practical flight learning using a flight simulator on students' decision-making and processing abilities. Improving school pilot skills during aviation emergencies. The career of a pilot is Indonesia Pilot Academy of Banyuwangi. Method: As part of our research, we chose a quantitative research approach to objectively analyze the improvement of pilot capabilities through practical flight courses on a flight simulator at the Indonesia Pilot Academy of Banyuwangi. The main data sources are 23 flight instructors and 34 students at the Indonesian Pilot Academy in Banyuwangi. Secondary data sources, on the other hand, consist of sources that go beyond words and actions, such as written notes. These written sources can be divided into book and scholarly journal sources, archival data sources, personal documents, and official documents. In this study, the authors used a variety of documents, including documents that provide information on the number of flight instructors and student pilots currently using simulators. Results: Pilot skill development is progressing well through direct practice on flight simulators at the Banyuwangi Pilot Academy in Indonesia. This can be seen through metrics related to key improvement areas that increase flight simulation proficiency. Analyzing the previous discussion, if one considers the impact of various other factors in the questionnaire results on improving pilot abilities through practical flying courses, it can be concluded that helping to improve abilities through flight simulators is a commendable simulator. Conclusions: Improving pilot skills through direct hands-on flight simulator training at Indonesia Pilot Academy of Banyuwangi has proven successful. This success is measured by several criteria such as: good institutional management, pleasant training experience, qualified flight instructors, suitable flight simulators, suitable courses, discipline and achievement of flight objectives. Additionally, implementing a flight simulator training device (FSTD) helps maintain flight authorization and skills. The Indonesian Banyuwangi Aviation Academy uses FSTD for educational, research and community purposes. While simulator training has its benefits, it's worth noting that certain pilot skills require compliance with applicable regulations and actual flight experience.

An extensive database of airborne trace gas and meteorological observations from the Alpha Jet Atmospheric eXperiment (AJAX)

Abstract. The Alpha Jet Atmospheric eXperiment (AJAX) flew scientific flights between 2011 and 2018 providing measurements of trace gas species and meteorological parameters over California and Nevada, USA. This paper describes the observations made by the AJAX program over 229 flights and approximately 450 h of flying. AJAX was a multi-year, multi-objective, multi-instrument program with a variety of sampling strategies resulting in an extensive dataset of interest to a wide variety of users. Some of the more common flight objectives include satellite calibration/validation (GOSAT, OCO-2, TROPOMI) at Railroad Valley and other locations and long-term observations of free-tropospheric and boundary layer ozone allowing for studies of stratosphere-to-troposphere transport and long-range transport to the western United States. AJAX also performed topical studies such as sampling wildfire emissions, urban outflow and atmospheric rivers. Airborne measurements of carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, formaldehyde, water vapor, temperature, pressure and 3-D winds made by the AJAX program have been published at NASA's Airborne Science Data Center (https://asdc.larc.nasa.gov/project/AJAXTS9 (last access: 1 November 2022), https://doi.org/10.5067/ASDC/SUBORBITAL/AJAX/DATA001, Iraci et al., 2021a).

Developement of Multifunction PCM Recorder for Telemetry System

PCM data is result of air-vehicle flight test, this data is distributed for each engineers to analyze its condition. Since line-of-sight between the air-vehicle and the ground receiver cannot always be secured, remote PCM data recording system was claimed to be required. In this paper multi-function PCM data recorder has been described. This PCM data recorder was intended to place on inside of flight object. It can record about two hours in 32 GB SD card with maximum 7 Mbps data rate. RS-422/485 and RJ-45 interface enhanced accessibility for users. 5 V and 1 A power consumption and 19.5 mm × 152.5 mm × 102.3 mm allow to connect with mobile PCM devices. It acquired more than 190-minutes data in 12-times flight test. Also, it achieved military standard environmental test MIL-STD-810G to prove its stability and solidness.

유한요소 해석을 이용한 소형 무인항공기 암의 최적화 설계

The usability of drones is largely related to their performance, and among them, lightening is a very important factor in increasing flight distance and flight time by mounting a larger battery as a flight object and enabling low power flight. In this paper, finite element analysis was used to optimize the design aimed at reducing the weight and improving the strength of a 1 kgf class drone arm with a leg-type landing gear. o this end, finite element stress analysis and optimization design were performed step by step, and a method of modifying design variables using a combination of methods such as element removal method was used to realize the optimal structure. As a result of the stepwise optimal design performed in this paper, the optimization of the drone arm was achieved, which reduces the maximum effective stress by 0.04% while reducing the mass by 12.38%.

DETECTION OF FLIGHT OBJECTS PASSING THROUGH THE CONTROLLED AREA BY SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS

The article discusses the issue of monitoring air borders with the help of video cameras with the necessary technical capabilities and the detection of dangerous flying objects in order to prevent illegal and potentially dangerous flying objects trying to cross the border by air. The surveillance device is required to operate in the controlled area at the given altitude in a way that not to overlook suspicious flying objects passing through the zone. In order for surveillance devices to carry out the search process, the control zone is first distributed among the devices, and then the search modes of the devices are determined. In order to assess the abilities of any flight object to pass through this control zone during the search along the control lane, the overlooked periods of different points of the control lane during the monitoring process are evaluated and then compared with the flight time of this object.

Flight control and collision avoidance of three UAVs following each other

An unmanned aerial vehicle is a hardware and software complex with multi-purpose control. Unlike manned aviation, an unmanned aerial vehicle requires additional modules in its control system. These include the drone itself, the operator's workplace, software, data transmission lines and blocks necessary to fulfil the set flight objectives. The range of applications of unmanned aerial vehicles in the civil sector is not limited, but with the current state of the legal framework for the use of airspace, flight operations are somewhat difficult. The article formulates the main scientific position on the methodology of solving auxiliary tasks set in the work. The methodology specifies the main research stages, and it is a generalized methodological algorithm for the implementation of scientific research, which provides theoretical developments, field observations and simulation computer modelling. As a result of the study, it was found that the motion control systems of unmanned aerial vehicles are used for the process of their differentiation by the principle of complete external control, the advantages of which are considered in the work. For external control of divergence process of unmanned aerial vehicles, a method is considered for assessing the situation of convergence of unmanned aerial vehicles and choosing the manoeuvre of their difference using the area of dangerous courses, unmanned aerial vehicles approach, and it is possible to take into account the inertia of unmanned aerial vehicles when turning and the presence of navigational hazards that are in the manoeuvring area.

Development of a Model Rocket Trajectory Simulation Tool with Python

Within any space mission, the design of the trajectory that the spacecraft will travel across is one of the essential and most important steps. For the launch of smaller rockets, this is also a key analysis to be done during the development of the project, ensuring that the rocket achieves its flight objectives and enabling the definition of a safety radius based on its landing site. Therefore, the present work proposes the development of a tool to simulate the trajectory of small rockets that is satisfactory for use in academic projects, acting as a free alternative to similar software available on the market. For this task, the Python programming language is used, due to its open-source characteristic and shorter execution times compared to similar languages during the execution of numerical computation methods, which are necessary for modeling the rocket's flight dynamics. The results found with the use of the tool for simulating the trajectory of a model rocket are sufficient for the purpose of this work, reaching similar findings to those of simulations carried out in OpenRocket (a JAVA rocket trajectory simulation software, widely used in academic space). Moreover, a Monte Carlo simulation is performed, in which an impact point dispersion radius is estimated.

Induction Mechanism of Auditory-Assisted Vision for Target Search Localization in Mixed Reality (MR) Environments

In MR (mixed reality) environments, visual searches are often used for search and localization missions. There are some problems with search and localization technologies, such as a limited field of view and information overload. They are unable to satisfy the need for the rapid and precise location of specific flying objects in a group of air and space targets under modern air and space situational requirements. They lead to inefficient interactions throughout the mission process. A human being’s decision and judgment will be affected by inefficient interactions. Based on this problem, we carried out a multimodal optimization study on the use of an auditory-assisted visual search for localization in an MR environment. In the spatial–spherical coordinate system, the target flight object position is uniquely determined by the height h, distance r, and azimuth θ. Therefore, there is an urgent need to study the cross-modal connections between the auditory elements and these three coordinates based on a visual search. In this paper, an experiment was designed to study the correlation between auditory intuitive perception and vision and the cognitive induction mechanism. The experiment included the three cross-modal mappings of pitch–height, volume–distance, and vocal tract alternation–spatial direction. The research conclusions are as follows: (1) Visual cognition is induced by high, medium, and low pitches to be biased towards the high, medium, and low spatial regions of the visual space. (2) Visual cognition is induced by loud, medium, and low volumes to be biased towards the near, middle, and far spatial regions of the visual space. (3) Based on the HRTF application, the vocal track alternation scheme is expected to significantly improve the efficiency of visual interactions. Visual cognition is induced by left short sounds, right short sounds, left short and long sounds, and right short and long sounds to be biased towards the left, right, left-rear, and right-rear directions of visual space. (4) The cognitive load of search and localization technologies is significantly reduced by incorporating auditory factors. In addition, the efficiency and effect of the accurate search and positioning of space-flying objects have been greatly improved. The above findings can be applied to the research on various types of target search and localization technologies in an MR environment and can provide a theoretical basis for the subsequent study of spatial information perception and cognitive induction mechanisms in an MR environment with visual–auditory coupling.

Flight Anomaly Detection via a Deep Hybrid Model

In the civil aviation industry, security risk management has shifted from post-accident investigations and analyses to pre-accident warnings in an attempt to reduce flight risks by identifying currently untracked flight events and their trends and effectively preventing risks before they occur. The use of flight monitoring data for flight anomaly detection is effective in discovering unknown and potential flight incidents. In this paper, we propose a time-feature attention mechanism and construct a deep hybrid model for flight anomaly detection. The hybrid model combines a time-feature attention-based convolutional autoencoder with the HDBSCAN clustering algorithm, where the autoencoder is constructed and trained to extract flight features while the HDBSCAN works as an anomaly detector. Quick access record (QAR) flight data containing information of aircraft landing at Kunming Changshui International and Chengdu Shuangliu International airports are used as the experimental data, and the results show that (1) the time-feature-based convolutional autoencoder proposed in this paper can better extract the flight features and further discover the different landing patterns; (2) in the representation space of the flights, anomalous flight objects are better separated from normal objects to provide a quality database for subsequent anomaly detection; and (3) the discovered flight patterns are consistent with those at the airports, resulting in anomalies that could be interpreted with the corresponding pattern. Moreover, several examples of anomalous flights at each airport are presented to analyze the characteristics of anomalies.

Dynamic Stability and Flight Control of Biomimetic Flapping-Wing Micro Air Vehicle

This paper proposes an approach to analyze the dynamic stability and develop trajectory-tracking controllers for flapping-wing micro air vehicle (FWMAV). A multibody dynamics simulation framework coupled with a modified quasi-steady aerodynamic model was implemented for stability analysis, which was appended with flight control block for accomplishing various flight objectives. A gradient-based trim search algorithm was employed to obtain the trim conditions by solving the fully coupled nonlinear equations of motion at various flight speeds. Eigenmode analysis showed instability that grew with the flight speed in longitudinal dynamics. Using the trim conditions, we linearized dynamic equations of FWMAV to obtain the optimal gain matrices for various flight speeds using the linear-quadratic regulator (LQR) technique. The gain matrices from each of the linearized equations were used for gain scheduling with respect to forward flight speed. The reference tracking augmented LQR control was implemented to achieve transition flight tracking that involves hovering, acceleration, and deceleration phases. The control parameters were updated once in a wingbeat cycle and were changed smoothly to avoid any discontinuities during simulations. Moreover, trajectories tracking control was achieved successfully using a dual loop control approach. Control simulations showed that the proposed controllers worked effectively for this fairly nonlinear multibody system.

Numerical Simulation of Multiple Reflections and Diffractions of Sonic Boom Around Buildings

Sonic boom prediction around buildings has previously been conducted under the assumption of linear wave propagation. In this work, a more detailed analysis considering the nonlinear effect is achieved by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The two-dimensional Euler equations are solved by employing a level set method for tracking a moving supersonic body, a ghost fluid method for applying the immersed boundary condition at the surface of the body, and an adaptive mesh refinement method. Simulations are made under the frame of reference of a flight object moving at Mach 1.6. Incident waves are composed of a single oblique shock wave, as well as N, flat-top, and ramp waves. The computational results clarify the complex flow behaviors around a building, involving the incident, reflected, and diffracted waves. At the bottom-front edge of a building, the waveform behind the shock waves is spiked, and the pressure rise is amplified due to double reflections. The diffracted waves are repeatedly reflected at the top corners of a building, resulting in amplification of the perceived level over a wide range. The results of this work demonstrate that CFD can provide more detailed information compared to previous approaches and can be deployed for practical applications.

The CLoud–Aerosol–Radiation Interaction and Forcing: Year 2017 (CLARIFY-2017) measurement campaign

Abstract. The representations of clouds, aerosols, and cloud–aerosol–radiation impacts remain some of the largest uncertainties in climate change, limiting our ability to accurately reconstruct past climate and predict future climate. The south-east Atlantic is a region where high atmospheric aerosol loadings and semi-permanent stratocumulus clouds are co-located, providing an optimum region for studying the full range of aerosol–radiation and aerosol–cloud interactions and their perturbations of the Earth's radiation budget. While satellite measurements have provided some useful insights into aerosol–radiation and aerosol–cloud interactions over the region, these observations do not have the spatial and temporal resolution, nor the required level of precision to allow for a process-level assessment. Detailed measurements from high spatial and temporal resolution airborne atmospheric measurements in the region are very sparse, limiting their use in assessing the performance of aerosol modelling in numerical weather prediction and climate models. CLARIFY-2017 was a major consortium programme consisting of five principal UK universities with project partners from the UK Met Office and European- and USA-based universities and research centres involved in the complementary ORACLES, LASIC, and AEROCLO-sA projects. The aims of CLARIFY-2017 were fourfold: (1) to improve the representation and reduce uncertainty in model estimates of the direct, semi-direct, and indirect radiative effect of absorbing biomass burning aerosols; (2) to improve our knowledge and representation of the processes determining stratocumulus cloud microphysical and radiative properties and their transition to cumulus regimes; (3) to challenge, validate, and improve satellite retrievals of cloud and aerosol properties and their radiative impacts; (4) to improve the impacts of aerosols in weather and climate numerical models. This paper describes the modelling and measurement strategies central to the CLARIFY-2017 deployment of the FAAM BAe146 instrumented aircraft campaign, summarizes the flight objectives and flight patterns, and highlights some key results from our initial analyses.

Temperature Measurement of a Bullet in Flight.

This study answers a primary question concerning how the temperature changes during the flight of a bullet. To answer the question, the authors performed unique research to measure the initial temperatures of bullet surfaces and applied it to four kinds of projectiles in a series of field experiments. The technique determines the temperature changes on metallic objects in flight that reach a velocity of 300 to 900 m/s. Until now, the tests of temperature change available in the literature include virtual points that are adopted to ideal laboratory conditions using classic thermomechanical equations. The authors conducted the first study of its kind, in which is considered four projectiles in field conditions in which a metallic bullet leaves a rifle barrel after a powder deflagration. During this process, heat is partly transferred to the bullet from the initial explosion of the powder and barrel-bullet friction. In this case, the temperature determination of a bullet is complex because it concerns different points on the external surface. Thus, for the first time the authors measured the temperatures at different position on the bullet surface. Moreover, the authors showed that basic thermodynamic equations allow for the credible prediction of such behavior if the initial conditions are identified correctly. This novel identification of the initial conditions of temperature and velocity of flying bullets was not presented anywhere else up to now.

Flight Object Sharing Capability Using Blockchain

This paper describes a concept and a prototype for sharing flight information using blockchain technology. Providing all stakeholders access to complete, consistent, and up-to-date information about each flight facilitates efficient aviation operations. Existing flight information exchange methods are limited; the concept of a “flight object” that provides a complete solution for all stakeholders has yet to be realized. A complete solution requires either a centrally administered data store, which is unsuitable for an international context, or a distributed ledger. Distributed ledgers are at the heart of blockchain technology, which makes this technology a good match for implementing the flight object. The authors have proven it is possible to provide a complete flight object solution using blockchain technology by demonstrating a prototype based on Tendermint: an open-source blockchain implementation. The demonstrated solution offers additional benefits like strong integrity guarantees and role-based update permissions enforcement. Prototype performance indicates a production implementation is likely to provide sufficient speed and capacity to support global aviation operations for flight planning negotiation, as well as possible future concepts such as trajectory-based operations and international flow management. The paper’s conclusion discusses steps necessary for the flight object sharing capability to be adopted as the basis for a real-world international aviation solution.

Behavioral correlates of semi-zygodactyly in Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) based on analysis of internet images

Ospreys are renowned for their fishing abilities, which have largely been attributed to their specialized talon morphology and semi-zygodactyly−the ability to rotate the fourth toe to accompany the first toe in opposition of toes II and III. Anecdotal observations indicate that zygodactyly in Ospreys is associated with prey capture, although to our knowledge this has not been rigorously tested. As a first pass toward understanding the functional significance of semi-zygodactyly in Ospreys, we scoured the internet for images of Osprey feet in a variety of circumstances. From these we cross-tabulated the number of times each of three toe configurations (anisodactylous, zygodactylous, and an intermediate condition between these) was associated with different grasping scenarios (e.g., grasping prey or perched), contact conditions (e.g., fish, other objects, or substrate), object sizes (relative to foot size), and grasping behaviors (e.g., using one or both feet). Our analysis confirms an association between zygodactyly and grasping behavior; the odds that an osprey exhibited zygodactyly while grasping objects in flight were 5.7 times greater than whilst perched. Furthermore, the odds of zygodactyly during single-foot grasps were 4.1 times greater when pictured grasping fish compared to other objects. These results suggest a functional association between predatory behavior and zygodactyly and has implications for the selective role of predatory performance in the evolution of zygodactyly more generally.

Implementation and Analysis of Pattern Propagation Factor Based Radar Model for Path Planning

Various path planning algorithms assume space as free and obstacles, and it is widely used in the robotic field. In examples of flight objects, space cannot be simply divided as free and obstacles because a risk exposure factor in the sky is dramatically changed based on radar sites and earth terrain. Previous researchers did not consider the risk exposure or used simple radar model to estimate the risk exposure. In this paper, a radar model based on pattern propagation factor is implemented to estimate the risk exposure. The model can simulate effects of terrain masking, 3D radar cross-section, refraction, and radar multipath, and compared paths with deterministic (Dijkstra’s algorithm), evolutionary (Discrete Genetic Algorithm), and Voronoi path planning methods.

Batting an in-flight object to the target

Striking a flying object such as a ball to some target location is a highly skillful maneuver that a human being has to learn through a great deal of practice. In robotic manipulation, precision batting remains one of the most challenging tasks in which computer vision, modeling, planning, control, and action must be tightly coordinated in a split second. This paper investigates the problem of a two-degree-of-freedom robotic arm intercepting an object in free flight and redirecting it to some target with a single strike, assuming all the movements take place in one vertical plane. Two-dimensional impact is solved under Coulomb friction and energy-based restitution with a proof of termination. Planning combines impact dynamics and projectile flight mechanics with manipulator kinematics and image-based motion estimation. As the object is on the incoming flight, the post-impact task constraint of reaching the target is propagated backward in time, while the arm’s kinematic constraints are propagated forward (via joint trajectory interpolation), all to the pre-impact instant when they will meet constraints that allow batting to happen. All the constraints (16 in total) are then exerted on the arm’s pre-impact joint angles and velocities, which are repeatedly planned based on updated estimates of the object’s motion captured by a high-speed camera. The arm keeps adjusting its motion in sync with planning until batting takes place. Experiments have demonstrated a better batting performance by a Barrett Technology WAM Arm than by a human being without training.