DEVELOPMENT OF AN AUTOPILOT SYSTEM FOR FLIGHT SIMULATION IN A PREPAR3D SIMULATION ENVIRONMENT

The aim of this thesis is to develop a general-purpose flight simulation station, implement a data acquisition system to collect information from the simulator, and design an autopilot capable of performing aircraft takeoff, executing a standard turn to align with a specified point based on latitude and longitude coordinates, and maintaining a desired altitude. This study is part of a larger project that also involves the creation of a wearable device providing haptic and visual feedback to the simulator user, making the experience more realistic. The project is a collaboration between the Politecnico di Torino and Sipal SPA. The simulation station consists of a configurable seat equipped with various hardware attachments, including a joystick, pedals, and throttle. For visual display, an ultra-short throw projector and two touchscreens were selected to display the cockpit and onboard instruments, and to allow interaction with them. The software used is Prepar3D, a professional license product by Lockheed Martin. C++ code was implemented to develop the data acquisition and autopilot modules, facilitating interaction with the software. Several communication protocols were utilized for the data acquisition system: SimConnect, a TCP/IP-based protocol developed by the simulator manufacturer, was used to extract data directly from Prepar3D; and MQTT, also TCP/IP-based, was employed to forward data to another module that controls the actuators for sensory feedback. The application is configurable via a configuration file that allows the selection of data to be extracted. The autopilot was designed for use with the Lockheed Martin F-35. The system comprises several units: the takeoff system, which enables the aircraft to take off; the controller that manages the standard turn maneuver; and the controller that maintains the desired altitude. For the turn maneuver, a controller was developed to execute a standard turn, a turn at a constant angular rate. After setting the bank angle between 30° and 45° using a PID controller, control actions are applied to the angular velocity relative to the aircraft’s z-axis, with control executed by the aircraft’s elevators. For altitude control, a PID controller was implemented, which adjusts altitude through the aerodynamic surfaces, specifically the elevators. Overall, the system provides faster and more precise performance compared to the autopilot offered by Prepar3D.