Parameter Identification of an Executive Transport Aircraft - Simulation Update and Flight Test Results

This paper presents an overview of the Parameter Identification (PID) program performed at Gulfstream for the G650, an executive transport aircraft. The main objective of the PID program was to accomplish a timely update and validation of the aerodynamic database for the G650 simulation. The PID program consisted of approximately 40 flight conditions covering all flaps settings through the normal operating flight envelope. An incremental model update approach was used to update the simulation; where increments/deltas to the stability and control derivatives were added to the simulation. Both equation error and output error PID methods were utilized during analysis. Verification of the updated simulation was provided by direct comparison of updated simulation results and flight test data. Typical results for a number of longitudinal and lateral directional maneuvers are included. The final updated simulation was successfully validated against a completely different set of flight test data at different flight conditions than those used to generate updates.