Large Civil Tiltrotor Wake Hazard Assessment Tool

Both NASA and the FAA have identified large civil tiltrotors (LCTRs) as the most promising method for meeting FAA goals for extending future airport capacity, flexibility, efficiency and safety. This has led to important research at NASA exploring flight dynamics and handling qualities associated with these aircraft in terminal area operations. A critical gap in current research tools is a flight simulation capability to properly evaluate and minimize wake hazards associated with operating large, tiltrotors in the terminal area. These wake hazards will impact flight safety of both the large tiltrotors and any rotary wing or fixed wing aircraft operating in their vicinity. A research effort is proposed to develop and deliver a high-fidelity, physics-based model of these wake hazards within flight simulation evaluation software. Phase I will see the development and validation of prototype software including a new set of metrics for rating handling qualities of comparative LCTR configurations when operating in the wakes of nearby aircraft. Phase II will see the development and delivery of a fully-functional desktop analysis and plug-in module that will provide a capability to feel multiple aircraft wake interactions when flying the LCTR and other aircraft within NASA's Vertical Motion Simulator.