Center-of-Gravity Estimation of an Aircraft Solely Using Traditional Aircraft Measurement Sensors

In this work, a novel algorithm for estimating aircraft center-of-gravity location based solely on traditional aircraft measurements is investigated. The algorithm uses known physics-based kinematic relationships between aircraft states for the estimation process and requires only traditional sensor measurements typically employed by aircraft. Three models are used in the algorithm development: one based on using attitude measurements, the second based on using air data measurements, and the third based on using navigation type measurements. Estimation of the aircraft's aerodynamic parameters is not required in the new approach. However, sensor error such as accelerometer bias effects are estimated in the algorithm process. A high performance aircraft simulation model is used to test the feasibility of the approach. In all individual and combined model simulations center-of-gravity was estimated with a high degree of accuracy. In addition, flight test data is used to verify the effectiveness of the algorithm in localizing the center-of-gravity successfully.