Flight Simulator Integration in Test Rig

Abstract: Integrating hardware in simulations is useful in many applications, for example to investigate the performance of an aircraft with the non-ideal response of a physical system. This thesis aims to integrate a flight simulator, JSBSim, with an actuator test rig, FLUMES Iron Bird. Two aircraft models were replicated in JSBSim, a passenger aircraft and a delta winged fighter aircraft. The models were analyzed to ensure proper flight performance in regards to stability. The stability analysis was conducted from both the aerodynamic data provided as well as through state-space theory. The fighter aircraft was unstable in the subsonic region and in need of a flight control system to fly properly. The integration with the test rig was implemented using Simulink S-functions and a real-time target computer ensuring synchronous communication with the actuator test rig. The passenger aircraft was successfully integrated and tested with the actuator test rig.