Airplane design is currently characterized by front-loading engineering problems to the early stages of the design process, using a range of different simulation tools. Once a prototype is ready, a first flight will take place where aerodynamic and aeroelastic behaviour as predicted by simulation models needs to be confirmed. One such aeroelastic phenomenon is flutter. The overall testing time can be greatly reduced by using smart and dedicated tools that are fit for industrial purposes.
This paper focusses on industrial solutions for experimental flutter analysis. Such a solution needs to be able to acquire data in operational conditions, to automatically perform modal analysis, to make a statement on the actual flutter conditions, and finally, to deal with some sort of flutter prediction. An overview of prediction techniques is given. The new developments for in-flight data analysis will be illustrated by a simulator-generated in-flight test.
