FLARE (Flying Laboratory for Aeronautical REsearch) is an Optionally Piloted Aircraft (OPA) derived by a commercial, off-the-shelf, ultra-light aircraft, TECNAM P92-Echo S. FLARE is a flying test bed (FTB) used for in flight validation of enabling technologies for UAV and conventional aircrafts. The whole flight system, with a Permit to Fly released by the Italian Airworthiness Authority “ENAC”, is composed by: FLARE as flight platform, a Ground Control Station (GCS) for remote piloting and to conduct/monitor the mission, and a Line of Site (LOS) Datalink. A dedicated no-segregated area for critical flight experimentation has identified and assigned by ENAC.
FLARE flight system:
- Engine Rotax 912 ULS with 3,5 Kw alternator power
- MTOW 550 kg
- Payload 30 Kg
- Max Altitude 2500 m ASL
- Speed 120÷165 Km/h in Clean Configuration and 90÷110 Km/h with flap out
- Endurance > 2 flight hours
- Datalink range 30 km
The FLARE flight system has equipped with an on-board experimental set-up mainly composed by:
- Flight Control Computer
- Servo actuators on movable surfaces and engine throttle with position sensors
- Weight on Wheel and speed sensor on landing gear
- Air Data Computer with experimental probe
- Laser Altimeter
- Differential GPS
- Inertial Navigation System (INS)
- Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) and Traffic Adsory System (TAS)
- Satellite communications
- Out of the window video camera
- Portable Locator Beacon (PLB)
- Payload full provision