Modeling and Simulation vs. Flight Test for Aircraft Certification - Where do we draw the line?
Bimal Aponso - FAA
The value of modeling and simulation is realized by its ability to accurately simulate and predict the dynamic behavior of the actual system. Flight testing is necessary to assess the accuracy of simulation models and demonstrate compliance with regulations. There is an increasing desire to place greater reliance on modeling and simulation to demonstrate compliance with regulations and reduce the need for flight testing. How well a model represents the characteristics of the actual aircraft then becomes a key question that the regulator needs to understand and evaluate. Several studies, including those sponsored by NASA and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), examined the state of the art in modeling and simulation in terms of its capability to demonstrate system safety as required by regulation. This presentation will review past and on-going efforts to assess and understand improvements needed in modeling and simulation to effectively play a larger role in demonstrating compliance to airworthiness regulations.
Bimal Aponso is the FAA’s Chief Scientist and Technical Advisor (CSTA) for Dynamic Systems with particular focus on the applicability of modeling and simulation for certification, flight dynamics and control of eVTOL aircraft, and certification requirements for future commercial supersonic/hypersonic aircraft. He has four decades of experience in modeling and simulation of dynamic systems, vehicle stability and control, and aircraft handling qualities.