CITE THIS NOTEBOOK: Modeling aircraft dynamics using System Modeler's free Aircraft Library by Ankit Naik. Wolfram Community JAN 11 2023.
When developing a new aircraft, there are many different subcontractors involved. Each subcontractor has the responsibility for a specific part of the aircraft. For instance, Boeing 787’s wing tips are subcontracted to KAL-ASD in Busan South Korea, the forward fuselage to Spirit, Wichita, Kansas, the cargo access doors to Saab, Linköping, Sweden, and so on. But how is each part tested before all the rest is developed (and assembled)?
About a year ago we partnered with Saab to develop a new Aircraft modeling library, that would make it possible to test an aircraft at an early design stage. This has resulted in the new Aircraft library (Free).
Source: Glenn Beltz from Goleta, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The library allows you to model an aircraft design and simulate its flight through air for a given flight mission. You can test your design for its flight mechanics, controllability and performance (when it comes to fuel efficiency and maneuverability).
Moreover, the built-in aircraft models can be used for designing autopilots or testing various flight scenarios such as modeling an engine failure mid-flight or modeling a launch of a towed glider.

Key features

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  • Parametrizable aircraft components
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  • Built-in weight estimation method to set up new aircraft models from a small set of parameters
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  • Built-in animation of all models, providing an easy visual check of your modeling process
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  • Flight mechanics model with 6 degrees of freedom
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  • Fully compatible with the Modelica Standard Library

    • Examples

    Engine Failure of an Aircraft

    How would an aircraft behave in case of a failure like faulty engine, flap malfunction or faulty control logic? This example models and simulates the response of a Hawker Siddeley aircraft after an engine failure.
    Check the example here: https://www.wolfram.com/system-modeler/examples/more/aerospace-defense/engine-failure-of-an-aircraft

    Tow and Glide

    Model and simulate the flight of an aircraft through the atmosphere. In this example, a glider aircraft is towed up to a cruising altitude by an electric aircraft and released.
    Check the example here: https://www.wolfram.com/system-modeler/examples/more/aerospace-defense/tow-and-glide

    Aircraft Weight Estimation

    How can you evaluate aircraft designs for maximum takeoff weight, fuel consumption or maneuverability, if the component weight data is not available? This example uses a weight estimation method to derive the mass properties from aircraft geometry and a few design variables.
    Check the example here: https://www.wolfram.com/system-modeler/examples/more/aerospace-defense/aircraft-weight-estimation

    Getting started

    Introduction video: https://www.wolfram.com/broadcast/video.php?sx=aircraft&v=3838
    Getting started guide: https://reference.wolfram.com/system-modeler/libraries/Aircraft/Aircraft.GettingStarted.html
    Read more on the theory here: https://reference.wolfram.com/system-modeler/libraries/Aircraft/Aircraft.Introduction.html

    Related talks

    Tech talk 2022: https://youtu.be/5oT7Fmq5RDY
    Wolfram Technology Conference 2022: https://www.wolfram.com/broadcast/video.php?sx=aircraft&v=3732

    Download

    Download the free Aircraft library and try it now: https://www.wolfram.com/system-modeler/libraries/download/?library=aircraft