Adapting e-Genius for Next-Level Efficient Electric Aerotow with High-Power Propulsion and Automatic Flight Control System
Aiming to reduce energy demand and carbon footprint, minimize noise impact, and enhance flight safety and efficiency during aerotow operations, this study integrates an electric propulsion system and an automatic flight control system (AFCS) into the electric research aircraft e-Genius. An advanced...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Aerospace |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/5/409 |
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| author | Stefan Zistler Dalong Shi Walter Fichter Andreas Strohmayer |
| author_facet | Stefan Zistler Dalong Shi Walter Fichter Andreas Strohmayer |
| author_sort | Stefan Zistler |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Aiming to reduce energy demand and carbon footprint, minimize noise impact, and enhance flight safety and efficiency during aerotow operations, this study integrates an electric propulsion system and an automatic flight control system (AFCS) into the electric research aircraft e-Genius. An advanced propulsion system is developed using high-performance batteries and available electric drive components, while the AFCS is designed following a systematic process of developing flight control algorithms. Flight tests are then conducted to evaluate the performance of individual components and the overall system. The test results demonstrate that the upgraded propulsion system provides sufficient power to launch sailplanes, even with the maximum takeoff mass, while significantly reducing energy demand when compared to contemporary fossil fueled towplanes. Additionally, the AFCS proves to be stable and robust, successfully following specified commanded states, executing path tracking, and performing aerotow operations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e8440ee97eed4f8db68d6c4444e532d3 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2226-4310 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Aerospace |
| spelling | doaj-art-e8440ee97eed4f8db68d6c4444e532d32025-08-20T01:57:00ZengMDPI AGAerospace2226-43102025-05-0112540910.3390/aerospace12050409Adapting e-Genius for Next-Level Efficient Electric Aerotow with High-Power Propulsion and Automatic Flight Control SystemStefan Zistler0Dalong Shi1Walter Fichter2Andreas Strohmayer3Institute of Aircraft Design, Faculty of Aerospace Engineering and Geodesy, University of Stuttgart, 70569 Stuttgart, GermanyInstitute of Flight Mechanics and Controls, Faculty of Aerospace Engineering and Geodesy, University of Stuttgart, 70569 Stuttgart, GermanyInstitute of Flight Mechanics and Controls, Faculty of Aerospace Engineering and Geodesy, University of Stuttgart, 70569 Stuttgart, GermanyInstitute of Aircraft Design, Faculty of Aerospace Engineering and Geodesy, University of Stuttgart, 70569 Stuttgart, GermanyAiming to reduce energy demand and carbon footprint, minimize noise impact, and enhance flight safety and efficiency during aerotow operations, this study integrates an electric propulsion system and an automatic flight control system (AFCS) into the electric research aircraft e-Genius. An advanced propulsion system is developed using high-performance batteries and available electric drive components, while the AFCS is designed following a systematic process of developing flight control algorithms. Flight tests are then conducted to evaluate the performance of individual components and the overall system. The test results demonstrate that the upgraded propulsion system provides sufficient power to launch sailplanes, even with the maximum takeoff mass, while significantly reducing energy demand when compared to contemporary fossil fueled towplanes. Additionally, the AFCS proves to be stable and robust, successfully following specified commanded states, executing path tracking, and performing aerotow operations.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/5/409aerotowbattery-electric aircrafte-Geniushigh-power propulsionrecuperationautomatic flight control system |
| spellingShingle | Stefan Zistler Dalong Shi Walter Fichter Andreas Strohmayer Adapting e-Genius for Next-Level Efficient Electric Aerotow with High-Power Propulsion and Automatic Flight Control System Aerospace aerotow battery-electric aircraft e-Genius high-power propulsion recuperation automatic flight control system |
| title | Adapting e-Genius for Next-Level Efficient Electric Aerotow with High-Power Propulsion and Automatic Flight Control System |
| title_full | Adapting e-Genius for Next-Level Efficient Electric Aerotow with High-Power Propulsion and Automatic Flight Control System |
| title_fullStr | Adapting e-Genius for Next-Level Efficient Electric Aerotow with High-Power Propulsion and Automatic Flight Control System |
| title_full_unstemmed | Adapting e-Genius for Next-Level Efficient Electric Aerotow with High-Power Propulsion and Automatic Flight Control System |
| title_short | Adapting e-Genius for Next-Level Efficient Electric Aerotow with High-Power Propulsion and Automatic Flight Control System |
| title_sort | adapting e genius for next level efficient electric aerotow with high power propulsion and automatic flight control system |
| topic | aerotow battery-electric aircraft e-Genius high-power propulsion recuperation automatic flight control system |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/5/409 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT stefanzistler adaptingegeniusfornextlevelefficientelectricaerotowwithhighpowerpropulsionandautomaticflightcontrolsystem AT dalongshi adaptingegeniusfornextlevelefficientelectricaerotowwithhighpowerpropulsionandautomaticflightcontrolsystem AT walterfichter adaptingegeniusfornextlevelefficientelectricaerotowwithhighpowerpropulsionandautomaticflightcontrolsystem AT andreasstrohmayer adaptingegeniusfornextlevelefficientelectricaerotowwithhighpowerpropulsionandautomaticflightcontrolsystem |