Development of a tilt-rotor model for real-time flight simulation

The aim of this work is to describe the development of a tilt-rotor model for real-time flight simulation based on the NASA XV-15 prototype aircraft, for the integration with the ReDSim Research and Didactic Flight Simulator of the ZAV Center of Aviation, at ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Science in Winterthur, Switzerland. A simulation model is developed in Matlab/Simulink® based on available literature and several off-line tests are carried out for both the helicopter and the airplane modes of the aircraft. Furthermore, the simulation model is integrated with the ReDSim and several pilot tests are performed. Results are presented, weaknesses of the model are evaluated and further developments are suggested. Present work is the result of a Final Thesis submitted as partial fulfillment of requirements for the author’s Master’s of Science in Aerospace Engineering.