Flight Test Instrumentation for Loads and Aeroelastic Analyses of a High Altitude, Long Endurance, Solar Electric Aircraft

This work presents the flight test instrumentation for loads and aeroelastic measurements of an extremely light weight and highly flexible aircraft. Because the aircraft is very elastic, the validation of the aeroelastic modeling is essential. Therefore, the aircraft has a comprehensive flight test instrumentation dedicated to the measurement of loads and the elastic response. The measurement equipment, comprising strain gages, accelerometers, temperature sensors and an inertia measuring unit, is presented in detail. Three demonstrations of application are shown with the aircraft on the ground, in preparation for flight testing: online monitoring of strains during ground handling, measurement of rigid body motion during the taxi test and acceleration measurements during the ground vibration test.