Gust Load Alleviation Based on Model Predictive Control

Weight reduction is a typical design goal for modern aircraft. If gust encounters (as required by Certification Specification 25) are sizing conditions of parts of the airframe, this can be achieved (for example) by an active gust load alleviation system that reduces the gust load level down to the level of the next design condition, which might be the design loads from maneuver conditions. In order to design an efficient gust load alleviation system that respects the actuation constraints of the control surfaces, uses preview information on the incoming gust shape from a Light Detection And Ranging gust sensor and takes gust propagation delays into account, we apply model predictive control to an aeroservoelastic aircraft model.