UAV Flight Dynamics Simulator

A modern, interactive web application for simulating and analyzing the flight dynamics of fixed-wing UAVs. Designed for aerospace engineers, researchers, and students, this tool provides deep insight into how control inputs affect UAV behavior—both in longitudinal (4DOF) and full (6DOF) motion.

🌟 Key Features

• Dual Simulation Modes: 4DOF (longitudinal) and 6DOF (full motion)
• Interactive UI: Responsive, dynamic controls and visualization
• Real-time Visualization: Plot all state variables and control responses
• Stability Analysis: Eigenvalue analysis with mode identification
• Customizable UAV Parameters: Edit and save aircraft data
• Multiple Control Inputs: Define pulses for elevator, aileron, rudder, and throttle

✈️ Supported UAV Models

Note: Some aerodynamic and inertial values are estimated from public data or literature. Lateral-directional derivatives for 6DOF are subject to estimation.

📐 Simulation Theory & Implementation

4DOF (Longitudinal Motion)

• State Vector: [u, α, q, θ] (forward speed, angle of attack, pitch rate, pitch angle)
• Input Vector: [thrust, elevator]
• System: Linearized state-space: ẋ = A·x + B·u
• Integration: Runge-Kutta (scipy.solve_ivp)

6DOF (Full Motion)

• State Vector: [u, v, w, p, q, r, φ, θ, ψ, x, y, z]
• Input Vector: [roll, pitch, yaw, throttle]
• System: Nonlinear 6DOF equations, full inertia tensor, NED frame

🎮 Control Input System

• 4DOF: Elevator pulses (start, duration, angle)
• 6DOF: Roll, pitch, yaw, throttle pulses (all configurable)
• Multiple pulses supported; overlapping effects are combined at each timestep.

🖥️ User Interface & Workflow

1. Select UAV and simulation mode (4DOF/6DOF)
2. Edit parameters as needed
3. Configure control pulses
4. Set simulation duration
5. Run simulation and analyze results

📊 Output Visualization

4DOF Example Results

Input:

• Duration: 90s
• Elevator Pulses: 10s/2°, 35s/-1°

Results:

• Trim Speed: U0 = 37.43 m/s
• Short Period: Highly damped (ζ = 0.763)
• Phugoid: Unstable (ζ = -0.050)

Time-Domain Plots:

3D State-Space Trajectory:

Interpretation:

• Short period mode damps quickly (good handling)
• Phugoid mode is unstable (oscillations grow over time)
• Plots show how elevator pulses affect speed, angle of attack, pitch rate, and pitch angle

6DOF Example Results

Input:

• Duration: 90s
• Control Pulses: Multiple roll, pitch, yaw, throttle events

Results:

• Trim Speed: U0 = 37.43 m/s
• Eigenvalue analysis: Not implemented for 6DOF

Time-Domain Plots:

3D Trajectory:

Interpretation:

• Full motion simulation: velocities, angular rates, attitude, position, and energy
• Visualizes both aircraft path and orientation in 3D

💡 Stability Analysis

• Short Period Mode: High frequency, pitch/angle of attack, critical for handling
• Phugoid Mode: Low frequency, speed/pitch angle, energy exchange
• Stability: Damping ratio (ζ) is computed for each mode; negative ζ means instability

⚙️ Technical Details

• UI: Reflex (Python web framework)
• Math Core: NumPy, SciPy
• Plots: Plotly
• State Management: Centralized simulation state class
• Responsive Design: Adapts to all screens

🚀 Get Started

1. Clone the repo: git clone https://github.com/daglar510/UAV_flight_dynamics_simulator.git
2. Install dependencies: pip install -r requirements.txt
3. Run: python -m reflex run
4. Open localhost:3000

⚠️ Limitations

• 4DOF mode uses linearized aerodynamics
• Some UAV parameters are estimated
• No wind/turbulence models
• Not flight-certified; for educational use

👨‍💻 Credits & Contact

• Original version: Mattia Di Mauro
• UAV extension, UI, 6DOF: Dağlar Duman
• GitHub Repository

• Email

  LinkedIn

MIT License. Feel free to fork, use, or extend!