Utilization of a UAV platform for instrument development and flight-testing

Abstract:

Flight-testing of new instruments using conventional aircraft is expensive. The process of integrating a flight ready instrument on an aircraft is lengthy and could pause further development of sensor technology. In this work we discuss the utilization of a UAV platform to develop and test a 5-hole gust probe, temperature sensor and relative humidity sensor. This group of sensors is part of an instrument development project originally planned for conventional aircraft. Challenges with flight-testing resulted in the deployment of this sensor suite on a UAV platform. Results from the first UAV flight tests will be presented.