Computational investigation on aerodynamic and stability characteristics of a vertical take-off and landing micro air vehicle

Abstract

This research focuses on the numerical investigation of the aerodynamic and stability characteristics of a Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) Micro Air Vehicle (MAV). The numerical investigation is divided into two parts: statics and dynamics. In the static analysis, the full configuration of the VTOL MAV as well as various design and operating parameters are investigated. The dynamic analysis is conducted to obtain the dynamic stability derivatives due to angular rate variations. Time and computational costs have always been the issue in the numerical investigation. As a solution, an innovative method termed the Improved-Component Buildup Method (I-CBM) is developed. The results obtained indicate that the VTOL MAV has favorable aerodynamic performances and static stability quality in the longitudinal and directional modes, although it tends to be unstable in the lateral mode. The results also show that the I-CBM provides fast and reasonably accurate prediction of the aerodynamic and stability properties of the MAV.