Estimation And Tracking Of Maintenance And Damage On Advanced Air Mobility Concepts

Abstract

Anticipated Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations for passenger travel and package delivery in urban and suburban environments introduces challenges for flight operations and the business models. The expected increase in flight cycles and increased vehicle-human interactions with passengers and maintenance personnel, can lead to a greater possibility of impact damage. Many of these vehicles will be constructed of advanced composites, such as exemplar thermoplastic material examined herein. The sensitivity of a thermoplastic demonstrator panel is analyzed for different integration boundary conditions, skin thicknesses, and how much information about the composite layup is known. In addition, the effect of impact damage and high frequency unsteady airloads, such as those encountered in rotor wakes, are examined. Details of the composite layout may not be required for assessment of damage, with appropriate safety factors. High vibratory airloads do influence the potential failure of composite panels, so that judicious selection rotor velocity may extend the life of panels. Damage depends on the location and skin thickness? skin damage near structural support members may be less problematic.