Rotorcraft Flight Control Technology - Advancements and Future Challenges

In his updated Nikolsky Lecture “Rotorcraft flight control technology advancements and future challenges,” Dr. Tischler first summarizes the key flight control design drivers that distinguish rotorcraft from their fixed-wing counterparts. The second part of his presentation review the key advancements in flight control technology over the past 50 years. Dr. Tischler researched the literature extensively to ensure that his presentation would cover both the activities of Army and their research partners as well the contributions of the many other research organization world-wide that together have affected a “sea change” in how flight control systems for rotorcraft are developed.

In the next part of his lecture, Dr. Tischler considers the flight control challenges for future rotorcraft concepts, include the Army’s Future Vertical Lift, autonomous air systems (UAS) based on existing piloted rotorcraft, and eVTOL multicopter configurations (often referred to as drones in the popular media) for package delivery and air taxi (UAM - Urban Air Mobility). This section proposes how the flight control technologies of the past 50 years will be key to address the challenges of these new configurations. Finally, Dr. Tischler present his own personal thoughts on some keys to flight control research advancements and some broader thoughts on lessons learned as a career long flight control engineer and senior technologist. Key messages of this last section are the importance of collaboration, technology transfer, and mentors throughout one’s career.

Speaker: Mark Tischler, Tischler Aeronautics

Registration required.  Attend in person or online.