Aeroelasticity Support for Perlan 2 Glider

This case study details the aeroelasticity support provided by ATA Engineering, Inc. for the Perlan Project's engineless sailplane, Perlan 2. The objective of this support was to evaluate the stability of the aircraft, which is designed to glide at altitudes of 90,000 feet to study Earth's climate. The document outlines the critical importance of ground vibration testing (GVT) to characterize the aircraft's flexibility and mitigate risks associated with flutter in such extreme conditions. Key tasks performed included the development of a dynamic finite element model (FEM) from CAD models, planning the GVT with pretest analysis to identify sensor locations, and conducting the GVT to determine global and control surface modes. The results from the GVT were used to update the FEM, ensuring a test-verified model. Additionally, an aerodynamic panel model was developed, and flutter analysis was conducted to assess the aircraft's stability. The case study exemplifies ATA's approach of combining testing and analysis to support client projects.