The following researches have been carried out at Aviation Technology and Mechanical Acoustics Laboratory, the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Hosei University, where our Laboratory is established.

Survey of LSA categories

We conducted surveys on the framework and operation of LSA categories in Europe and the US from 2012 to 2014. Some of the results of these surveys were presented in the Aeronautical and Space Sciences Society of Japan’s 2014 Aircraft Symposium.

                                                                                                                     LSA ML-11

Design and prototype of LSA

From 2011 to the present, we have been designing, prototyping, and evaluating small aircraft that conform to the LSA category. From 2011 to 2013, we designed a conventional all-metal LSA (ML-11), fabricated a model, and experimented with the main structure of a real aircraft. In 2015, we designed an electric LSA (called ML-15) with dual Electric Ducted Fan (EDF), and conducted fluid simulation and structural examination of airframe and EDF. In 2016, we designed an electric aircraft considering maneuverability (called ML-16e), and in 2017 we fabricated a 1/4 scale model and a 1/1 cockpit mockup based on ML-15 (called ML-17). Through these activities, we are aiming to gain knowledge about the safety and flying an aircraft easily of LSA and electric aircraft, which will be a part of UAM.

                                                                                                                     LSA ML-17

Research using a real aircraft

In our laboratory, we have a motor glider (Diamond Aircraft HK36 Super Dimona) for experiment, and it is possible to conduct experiments and research on a real aircraft proactively. We have been evaluating the maneuverability (flightability) of a small machine by measuring the longitudinal and lateral motion modes, a creating of a pilot operation support tool, monitoring of the operation of a small aircraft by a passive radar (collaborative research with the Electronic Navigation Research Institute), a creating of a 3D terrestrial measurement systems (collaborative research with Nakanihon Air Service) by using this aircraft. In studies using a real aircraft, we are able to accumulate practical know‐how and are engaged in studies that are always aware of the “safe operation” essential to UAM.

                                                                                                Diamond Aircraft HK36 Super Dimona