MARSPEED - Modelling and Real Time Simulating the Motion of a Wing-in-Ground-Effect Vehicle

The paper describes the modelling of the motion of a wing-in-ground-effect vehicle (WIG) intended for use in a flight training simulator for pilots. A modular approach by a scalable nonlinear multiple-point model has proved to fulfill the requirements for real time simulation, which considers many environmental parameters and also simulates motions out of the WIG working range. The modular concept provides the continuous advancement of the model, the relatively simple adaption of its parameters and further on the powerful development environment for the controller. The model structure was caused by division of the WIG in functional components. According to the blade elements theory, the acting forces and moments for each component have been calculated considering the local states and surrounding options. The WIG motion model was realized in MATLAB/Simulink and tested successfully for a downscaled model of the WIG Seafalcon on water.