Flight Dynamics Simulation for the Preliminary Design of a Lift + Cruise eVTOL aircraft

Abstract

With a booming eVTOL market, many new companies will design their own vision of the future of urban transport. Therefore, a MATLAB flight dynamics model is needed to accurately design a Lift + Cruise Aircraft in the preliminary design phase. The MATLAB program is based on the EVE V3 aircraft by Embraer. The model successfully simulates an input flightpath and is highly customizable, providing preliminary design engineers with flexibility to modify and enhance the eVTOL aircraft. The program optimizes the input aircraft, accommodating up to 12 upward facing engines, 6 forward engines, 2 wings, and 2 stabilizers. The simulation-based approach reduces the need for physical prototyping and testing, offering a cost-effective tool for early-stage eVTOL aircraft development. Overall, this flight dynamics simulation proves instrumental in the preliminary design of Lift + Cruise eVTOL aircraft, providing engineers and designers with an indispensable asset for developing efficient, safe, and high-performance eVTOL technology.