Aircraft Taxi Simulations with Detailed Aircraft and Landing Gear Modeling

This paper details the development and evaluation of a new aircraft taxi analysis method that can obtain a detailed steering, thrust, and braking profile for a given taxiing maneuver. The taxi maneuver in this case is defined as a path in the runway x, y plane and a velocity profile. Using a waypoint system, landing gear and subsystem design and analysis engineers can define the path and velocity profile and predict the thrust, steering and braking commands to the aircraft required for the aircraft to follow the path. When combined with a suitable aircraft and landing simulation capability, this algorithm can be utilized to provide a realistic simulation of the aircraft as it follows the prescribed path, capturing the important system nonlinearities, interactions, and subsystem response. SDI Engineering has applied this algorithm to GearSim, a proprietary landing gear and aircraft modeling and analysis software tool, for testing and evaluation of multiple aircraft models and taxi paths. Results from these test simulations indicate the algorithm is suitable for modeling and simulation purposes that can successfully predict the steering, thrust and braking inputs required for the taxi maneuver. Landing gear and subsystem design engineers can utilize these realistic simulations to understand the detailed loading conditions for their subsystems in routine taxi maneuvers. The developed algorithm could be also applied to improve autopilot systems for taxi maneuvers.