Test of aerodynamic modeling accuracy of bird-scale flapping-wing vehicles

The test of aerodynamic modeling accuracy is helpful in the further design of the controller of bird-scale flapping-wing vehicles and the analysis of motion stability of the system. The traditional modeling method based on isotropic aerodynamic coefficients is not accurate enough to quantitatively predict the aerodynamic performance of experimental prototypes of bird-scale flapping-wing vehicles. The accuracy of the aerodynamic modeling of the flapping wing based on the pseudo steady state aerodynamic theory is tested by testing and analyzing the aerodynamic forces of the elastic flat wings with different stiffness. Based on the static aerodynamic test results of the flapping wing with fixed body position，the aerodynamic coefficients in the analytical calculation model are modified. The revised aerodynamic coefficients take into account the chordal stiffness of the elastic flat wing and show anisotropic characteristics. The accuracy and effectiveness of the modified flapping wing aerodynamic modeling method are verified by dynamic flight test of the experimental prototype. The above work has reference value for to the optimization design of flapping-wing vehicles and the improvement of experimental prototype. © 2023 AAAS Press of Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics. All rights reserved.