Flight testing an integrated wind/airdata and navigation system for general aviation aircraft

An approach for an integrated system enabling on-board determination of the actual wind condition and aerodynamic flow angles using inertial navigation data is presented. Furthermore, the pilot is provided with precise navigation information. Efficient computational routines assure a high quality of the output data. The first element of the system concerns the determination of the angles of attack and sideslip. These angles are not directly measured with aerodynamic sensors but determined using navigation data. The second element relates to the miniaturization of the system which basically consists of a navigation and a computer component. As the system is intended to be used in General Aviation aircraft a low-cost solution is a major design objective. This goal can be achieved using Commercial-off-the-Shelf components and efficient computational procedures. The system has been realized and is installed in a research aircraft undergoing a comprehensive flight test program. Results from these flight tests will be presented.