Bird Strike: Certification by Simulation

Nowadays there is an increasing interest in using Modelling & Simulation (M&S) to support the certification process of an aeronautical product. Specifically, simulation can be interpreted as a new means to show compliance with respect to the requirements imposed by the Aviation Authorities. The main aspect consists in reducing the number of physical tests since they are costly, time consuming and complex to be performed. Some potential advantages would be obtained exploiting this innovative method leading to the concept of “Certification by Simulation”. This would be also enabled by the current capabilities that simulation can offer like the Finite Element Method (FEM). Accordingly, simulation can be exploited for a high number of applications, such as structural analysis, fluid dynamics as well as flight simulation. The present study has the objective to underline “Modelling & Simulation” usage in rotorcraft certification process, especially for the bird strike phenomenon which still represents a hazard for flight operations since rotorcraft turned out to have a higher vulnerability compared with airplanes. For this reason, Aviation Authorities provide specific requirements which must be verified during the certification process. Since the compliance approach imposed by the Authorities is by test relegating simulation to the role of support tool, the main goal of this work is to show how simulation can be exploited to support the certification of design changes according to the validity limits of the simulation itself. Still relating to rotorcraft certification, a similar approach can be also considered to study the following aspects: -??fuel tanks structural behavior which is typically determined by costly and complex physical tests as well as for bird strike; -??flight phases, especially the high-risk ones, such as an emergency landing, which can also be performed by Modelling & Simulation with the advantage of no hazards and higher effectiveness. To endorse these considerations, the work examines some real rotorcraft design changes studied just by Modelling & Simulation in order to identify the potential advantages offered by M&S with respect to certification activities compared to a traditional approach based on physical tests, such as reduction of costs and time, increased safety and test cases’ high level of repeatability.