Development of autonomy in fly-by-wire aircraft has long been limited to multi-million dollar systems, or large remotely operated vehicles due to regulatory restrictions and the difficulty of designing a system around existing light aircraft. This report summarises the development of an experimental, optionally piloted aircraft with the capability of fully autonomous decisionmaking and controlled flight. Particular time is spent discussing the safety features of the mechanical and electrical systems, as well as a novel control system design for light aircraft autopilots. This phase of the project included successful independant ground tests of all electromechanical systems, and simulator tests of all autoflight software. The next phase of the project will include flight testing.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Ding, Zhaochen
• Nickerson, Tyler Jeffrey

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042717-145201

Advisor

• Ciaraldi, Michael J.
• Looft, Fred J.

Year

• 2017

Date created

• 2017-04-27

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Computer Science

Rights statement

• In Copyright