Ensuring the reliability of aircraft guidance and control
Loss of control in flight through pilot error, technical malfunction or external disturbances accounted for 16 % of flight accidents in recent years, and is the second largest cause of flying accidents. This type of incident is intrinsically related to failure in the guidance and control systems of aircraft. Aircraft manufacturers rely on high levels of hardware redundancy to detect and protect against such faults. However, this approach is becoming increasingly problematic to use with new technologies. The result is a growing gulf between the scientific methods advocated by the research community and the technological developments required by industry. Another problem is that current fault-detection solutions increase aircraft weight and the complexity of their on-board systems, thus hindering efforts to make aircraft greener and manufacturing more efficient. The EU-funded 'Advanced fault diagnosis for safer flight guidance and control' (ADDSAFE) project brought together the research community and industry to address these issues. The initiative focused on helping researchers to develop the best suited fault-diagnosis methods capable of handling real-world problems challenging aircraft guidance and control systems. At all stages, it aimed to ensure widespread industry acceptance and usability for theoretical innovations. Model-based diagnostic systems and the verification and validation software tool developed by the project team will reduce aircraft development and maintenance costs. ADDSAFE has improved synergies between aeronautics research and industry, addressing a growing problem that has been holding back innovation in the sector. Its technological developments will help advance a new generation of greener aircraft.
