Product Overview

Development System

Runtime System

Add-ons

Product Overview

FLIGHTLAB is a state-of-the-art, finite element, component-based, selective fidelity modeling and analysis software package. It supports modeling and simulation of rotorcraft, fixed-wing aircraft, compound aircraft, helicopters, multi-copters, drones, flying cars and experimental aircraft configurations.

FLIGHTLAB consists of two products:

Development System
Run-time System

As well as a selection of add-ons:

VVPM
PilotStation
An image showing all of the different tools included in the FLIGHTLAB rotorcraft simulation software package.

FLIGHTLAB Development System

The FLIGHTLAB development system includes a modern simulation environment, modeling element and function libraries, and a collection of graphical user interfaces for constructing, analyzing, and simulating rotorcraft, helicopters, and other air vehicles. The toolbox includes:

  • FLIGHTLAB Model Editor (FLME)

  • Control System Graphical Editor (CSGE)

  • Analysis Workspace & Utilities (Xanalysis)

Using the development system, rotorcraft and other aircraft models can be built to fit their application with the desired level of fidelity. Depending on the fidelity, the development models can be used for engineering analysis, real time simulation, or both. The development system is also used to generate run-time models for real time applications.

Software Brochure
An image showing all of the tools that are available inthe FLIGHTLAB development system

Key Features

  • Multiple bodies, multi-body dynamics

  • Nonlinear unsteady aerodynamics

  • Flight dynamics and real time simulation (including full flight simulators)

  • Flight performance, stability, controllability, and handling qualities

  • Aeroelastic stability, vibration, and loads

  • Aircraft systems analysis and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation

  • Couple with external programs including CFD and Matlab/Simulink

FLIGHTLAB Model Editor (FLME)

FLME provides the user with capability to build either an isolated subsystem or a full rotorcraft model, including rotors, wings, fuselage, aerodynamic bodies and surfaces, cargo, landing gear, propulsion system, flight controls, and external bodies. It allows users to hierarchically traverse the rotorcraft or air vehicle subsystems and select modeling options and enter modeling data.

External bodies can be modeled in FLME, including sling loads, ships, fixed or jettisonable external bodies, etc.

The functionality of FLME is augmented with the FLIGHTLAB Model Viewer (FLMV) which allows the user to interactively view the aircraft model as built in order to visually inspect the model geometry and configuration.

A demonstration of the FLIGHTLAB Model Editor building a rotorcraft model

Control System Graphical Editor (CSGE)

CSGE allows users to build a control system model, such as full flight controls, engine fuel controls, etc., for seamless integration with FLIGHTLAB. Alternatively, control models built using SIMULINK can be coupled with FLIGHTLAB for full flight simulation.

A demonstration of the Control System Graphical Editor Software building a rotorcraft control system model

Xanalysis Workspace

The centerpiece of the FLIGHTLAB Development System is the Xanalysis workspace.

Xanalysis provides graphical user interfaces to support various tasks including setting test conditions and aircraft configuration, trimming the aircraft, performing nonlinear response, linearizing the model, etc. In addition, dedicated standard utilities are provided for conducting tasks such as performance, stability, controllability, handling qualities, and aeroelastic loads/stability analysis.

Xanalysis also allows users to carry out custom analysis (including batch) using scripts written in FLIGHTLAB's simulation language (SCOPE).

An image showing all of the graphical user interfaces of the Xanalysis Workspace and it's capabilities

FLIGHTLAB Model Analysis

FLIGHTLAB Model Analysis, or FLMA, is a graphical user interface with a number of features and utilities to support flight analysis and simulation for air vehicles such as rotorcraft, eVTOLs, and more. FLMA provides for:

  • Basic analysis, including steady state and aircraft trim

  • Parameter sweeps, control response, and stability tests

  • GUI-supported test generation with automatic script generation; ideal for regression and certification tests

  • Choice between GUI-driven test execution and batch processing

  • Rotor loads analysis

  • Rotor modes animation

  • Mission performance analysis with graphical mission profile input

  • Direct access to model editor (FLME) and model viewer (FLMV)

  • Improved plotting utility to support spot-checking and report-style plotting

FLMA's analysis features are integrated within a graphical user interface designed to streamline analysis set-up, execution, and result processing. FLMA also allows for custom analyses using scripts written in the Scope language.

FLIGHTLAB Run-time System

The FLIGHTLAB Run-time System executes run-time models generated with the Development System. Input/output data from external systems such as control loaders, cockpit switches, image generators, etc. are communicated via shared memory and over the network.

The Run-time System includes a graphical user interface to control the run-time model, monitor parameters/variables on the Run-time System console, and manually set parameters as needed. The Run-time System can also be implemented to interact with a simulator host program using the FLIGHTLAB Communication Utilities (FLCOMMS).

Software Brochure
The graphical user interface of the FLIGHTLAB Run-time System

Key Features

  • Hardware-in-the-loop (e.g., simulator, actuators, engines, aircraft)

  • Start, trim, step, stop, pause, checkpoint, monitor and record signals of run-time models

  • Run standalone, automated model validation tests

FLIGHTLAB Add-Ons

Development System

FLAT

FLIGHTLAB Acoustic Toolkit (FLAT)

The FLIGHTLAB Acoustic Toolkit (FLAT) is a versatile aeroacoustic prediction tool for rotorcraft acoustic analysis

VVPM

Viscous Vortex Particle Method (VVPM)

Provides first-principle based aerodynamic wake modeling and is capable of capturing the mutual interference effect of all aerodynamic components in the flow field

Software Brochure

PS

PilotStation

Provides interface software (plug-in) for a 4-axis joystick and is packaged with open source visual software, such as FlightGear. It enables users to fly FLIGHTLAB development models at their desk

FLIGHTLAB® is the leading commercial software tool for rotorcraft and helicopter modeling and analysis

Inquire About FLIGHTLAB

ART INC.

FLIGHTLAB®

To learn more about this product, please contact us at

408-523-5100 or info@flightlab.com