Airspeed calibration using GPS

Kimberlin, Ralph D.; Sims, J

doi:10.2514/6.1992-4090

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…For the purposes of this research, the following function (inverse+) was used because it was deemed to be the most representative of typical static pressure errors on airplanes; (4) Δp / q c = k 1 + k 2 / q ci …”

Section: Figure 3 Example Gps-based Airspeed Correction Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A GPS-Based Pitot-Static Calibration Method Using Global Output Error Optimization

Cunningham

2010

48th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting Including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition

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Pressure-based airspeed and altitude measurements for aircraft typically require calibration of the installed system to account for pressure sensing errors such as those due to local flow field effects. In some cases, calibration is used to meet requirements such as those specified in Federal Aviation Regulation Part 25. Several methods are used for in-flight pitot-static calibration including tower fly-by, pacer aircraft, and trailing cone methods. In the 1990's, the introduction of satellite-based positioning systems to the civilian market enabled new inflight calibration methods based on accurate ground speed measurements provided by Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Use of GPS for airspeed calibration has many advantages such as accuracy, ease of portability (e.g. hand-held) and the flexibility of operating in airspace without the limitations of test range boundaries or ground telemetry support. The current research was motivated by the need for a rapid and statistically accurate method for in-flight calibration of pitot-static systems for remotely piloted, dynamically-scaled research aircraft. Current calibration methods were deemed not practical for this application because of confined test range size and limited flight time available for each sortie. A method was developed that uses high data rate measurements of static and total pressure, and GPSbased ground speed measurements to compute the pressure errors over a range of airspeed. The novel application of this approach is the use of system identification methods that rapidly compute optimal pressure error models with defined confidence intervals in nearreal time. This method has been demonstrated in flight tests and has shown 2-σ bounds of approximately 0.2 kts with an order of magnitude reduction in test time over other methods. As part of this experiment, a unique database of wind measurements was acquired concurrently with the flight experiments, for the purpose of experimental validation of the optimization method. This paper describes the GPS-based pitot-static calibration method developed for the AirSTAR research test-bed operated as part of the Integrated Resilient Aircraft Controls (IRAC) project in the NASA Aviation Safety Program (AvSP). A description of the method will be provided and results from recent flight tests will be shown to illustrate the performance and advantages of this approach. Discussion of maneuver requirements and data reduction will be included as well as potential applications.

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Section: Figure 3 Example Gps-based Airspeed Correction Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[4][5][6][7][8]. Calibrated dynamic pressure (q c ) is then compared to the measured dynamic pressure (q ci ) to compute the error in terms of static pressure and/or calibrated airspeed.…”

Section: Figure 3 Example Gps-based Airspeed Correction Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A GPS-Based Pitot-Static Calibration Method Using Global Output Error Optimization

Cunningham

2010

48th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting Including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition

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Investigation of Global Positioning System use for air data system calibration

Knoedler¹,

Bailey²,

McClintock³

et al.

Proceedings of Position, Location and Navigation Symposium - PLANS '96

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This paper is based on the results of flight testing on the air data systems of two general aviation aircraft performed by the USAF Test Pilot School [I]. The objec,tive was to compare data collected from commercial GPS receivers to data from classical Pitot-static calibration flight test techniques. The results showed that GPS receivers can be used for air data system calibrations even with selective availability active.

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