Identifying the cruising dynamics of a medium scale UAV I: Longitudinal dynamics

Abstract

Pitch and airspeed responses of a medium scale UAV were identified using the prediction error method. Data collection was conducted with an active closed loop autopilot control system. A naive SISO open loop transfer function was estimated using the parametric direct approach. Since its predictability was not significant, better estimators were developed using MISO parametric direct, and SISO parametric indirect method. The model validations were done to quantify their predictability.