Low-cost approach based on navigation data for determining angles of attack and sideslip for small aircraft

This paper presents a new solution for determining the angles of attack and sideslip, based on navigation data. The concept first described is related to the aerodynamic side force model combined with low pass filtering. In the second concept, the system is extended, applying additional relations for the lateral motion of the aircraft. This leads to an improved approach for determining the angle of sideslip using a refined computational method and an enhanced filtering technique. The concepts described are realized in an experimental system for a research aircraft, using low cost elements. They are considered to serve as examples for similar procedures for the determination of angle of attack.