Measurement and estimation of the angle of attack and the angle of sideslip

Abstract

The paper presents issues concerning the estimation of the angle of attack and the angle of sideslip on a flying object board. Angle of attack and sideslip estimation methods which are based on measurements of linear velocity components of an object with the Earth’s coordinates and on attitude angles of the object are presented. Both of these measurements originate from the inertial navigation system, and velocity measurement is obtained from the satellite navigation system. The idea of applying inertial and satellite navigation for the estimation of attack and sideslip angles is presented. Practical comparison of these estimation methods has been conducted based on logged parameters of a flight onboard a Mewa aircraft. Development proposals for these methods are presented as well.