Design, Implementation and Testing of a Distributed Electric Propulsion Demonstrator

Lorenzo Trainelli, Department of Aerospace Science and Technology, Politecnico di Milano (Italy)
Carlo E. D. Riboldi, Department of Aerospace Science and Technology, Politecnico di Milano (Italy)
S. Cacciola, Department of Aerospace Science and Technology, Politecnico di Milano (Italy)

Abstract

This paper introduces the demonstrator for the AeroSwitch concept, which combines an electric or hybridelectric Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP) airframe with a set of control logics allowing the in-flight simulation of either a single-engine or a twin-engine aircraft, in both normal and failure conditions. This aims at a drastic simplification and cost reduction of pilot training, with the use of a single platform to provide both single-engine and multi-engine training.

A scaled flying model, christened the SwitchMaster, was developed and thoroughly tested on ground and in flight providing insight into DEP aeropropulsive effects, demonstrating the AeroSwitch concept effectiveness, and deploying a fitting testbed to develop not only the AeroSwitch dedicated control laws, but also further applications in Propulsion-Controlled Aircraft (PCA) technology.