An Adaptive Nonlinear Aircraft Maneuvering Envelope Estimation Approach for Online Applications

A nonlinear aircraft model is presented and used to develop an overall unified approach to online trim and maneuverability envelope estimation with uncertainty quantification without any requirement for active input excitation. The concept of time scale separation makes this method suitable for the adaptive characterization of altered safe maneuvering limitations based on aircraft performance after impairment. The results can be used to provide pilot feedback and/or be combined with flight planning, trajectory generation, and guidance algorithms to help maintain safe aircraft operations in both nominal and off-nominal scenarios.