Nonlinear Simulation of Aircraft Terminal Maneuvers Including Gear Dynamics and Ground Effect

Due to ground proximity and limited time to react to possible issues, take-off and landing maneuvers represent the most critical conditions within the envelope of any airplane. In this context, accurate modeling of terminal maneuvers is essential to evaluate performance, identify possible issues, and assess the safety integrity of a design solution. This work focuses on the development of a nonlinear flight simulator capable of handling terminal maneuvers, including the impact of wind and ground effect on the aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraft. The proposed simulator is employed in different landing scenarios including crosswind conditions for evaluating the maximum wing-tip clearance.