Simultaneous tailplane of small UAV and autopilot system design

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to rise the autonomous flight performance of the small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) using simultaneous tailplane of UAV and autopilot system design.

Design/methodology/approach

A small UAV is remanufactured in the UAV laboratory. Its tailplane can be changed before the flight. Autopilot parameters and some parameters of tailplane are instantaneously designed to maximize autonomous flight performance using a stochastic optimization method. Results found are applied for simulations.

Findings

Benefitting simultaneous tailplane of UAV and autopilot system design process, autonomous flight performance is maximized.

Research limitations/implications

Authorization of Directorate General of Civil Aviation in Turkey is required for UAV flights.

Practical implications

Simultaneous tailplane and autopilot system design process is so useful for refining UAV autonomous flight performance.

Social implications

Simultaneous tailplane and autopilot system design process fulfills confidence, high autonomous performance, and easy service demands of UAV users. By that way, UAV users will be able to use better UAVs.

Originality/value

Creating a novel technique to recover autonomous flight performance (e.g. less overshoot, less settling time and less rise time during trajectory tracking) of UAV and developing a novel procedure performing simultaneous tailplane of UAV and autopilot system design idea.

Citation

Çoban, S. (2019), "Simultaneous tailplane of small UAV and autopilot system design", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 91 No. 10, pp. 1308-1313. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-03-2019-0043