Master Thesis: Development of an Automated Tool for Aircraft Loads Calculation Using Flight and Ground Simulation Data

2 months ago
Full time role
In-person · Gothenburg, Västra Götaland County, SE... more

Are you a final year Master’s student looking for thesis opportunities during the spring semester 2025? Curious about aerospace development at the cutting edge of emerging technologies and new markets? How does a dynamic scale-up company with an international team of experts sound?

Heart Aerospace is looking for one or two master students to join our Flight Science team.

Thesis description

Aircraft structural sizing is determined by the loads arising mainly from both flight and ground conditions, as defined by regulations. These conditions are simulated using computer models to obtain external loads (aerodynamic loads during flight and ground reactions during ground operations), along with relevant flight and ground parameters.
The external loads and corresponding parameters are then used to calculate distributed loads (including both distributed external loads and inertial loads) across each aircraft component, such as the Wing, Fuselage, Horizontal tail, Vertical tail, Control surfaces, and others.

From the distributed loads, internal load diagrams are generated, and critical cases are selected. These critical cases' distributed loads are then utilized by the structural analysis teams.

The goal of this thesis is to significantly reduce the time-consuming and manual process of calculating structural loads by developing a tool that processes flight and ground simulation results. This tool will automate data generation for structural teams, streamlining the identification of critical load cases and enhancing the accuracy of load predictions. By innovating the loads methodology, the research aims to improve aircraft design reliability, ensuring compliance with safety regulations while optimizing structural performance.

Tasks include:

  • Input preparation for the tool:
    • Load monitor station selection
    • Process of aircraft pressure data
    • Process of aircraft mass data
  • Aerodynamic loads distribution along the each component of the aircraft.
  • Inertial loads distribution along the each component of the aircraft.
  • Concentrated loads addition (Engine loads, landing gear loads).
  • Drawing the internal loads diagrams for each of the component.
  • Selection of critical loading cases.
  • Creating force cards of critical cases for structural analysis.

Master thesis at Heart Aerospace

At Heart Aerospace, we want to strengthen the aerospace and electric mobility competences in our region. Our master thesis program is one way for us to contribute to this development, offering students to work with and be guided by our aerospace specialists from all over the world. We value the collaboration with our master thesis students, and we aim to provide good opportunities for them during the thesis period. Many of our previous students are now part of our team in Gothenburg.

We welcome students who plan to write their thesis in a pair of two as well as students who are working solo.

Thesis terms

The thesis period will start in January 2025 and end in June 2025. The program takes place at our main office in Gothenburg and our students are required to be based here throughout the thesis period. Any relocation needs are not covered by the company and will need to be managed by the student themselves. The master thesis project is part of the student’s ongoing education and will therefore not include any salary from the company.

Selected candidates will be invited for interviews with our team, the interviews are planned to take place beginning of November 2024.

  • Master’s student within Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or other relevant programs
  • Good knowledge of Dynamics
  • Good knowledge of Aerodynamics
  • Good knowledge of Python
  • Great verbal & written communication skills in English
  • Eagerness to work with others
  • Passion for aircraft and electrification of the aviation industry

Application

If you are planning to write your thesis with a partner, please make one application each and specify who your partner is in the questionnaire. If you apply alone, write so in the question.

Submit your application and CV in English. Attach your grades under ‘Other’.

Applications will be processed on an ongoing basis, welcome with your application today!

At Heart Aerospace we develop the ES-30, a regional hybrid-electric airplane with a capacity of 30 passengers, an electric zero-emission range of 200 km and an extended hybrid range of 400 km. Heart is targeting type certification of the ES-30 by the end of the decade.