CASI Ottawa Branch

Air-to-Air Collisions: Drone Impact Damage 

Assessment on Aircraft Structure

January 28, 2021 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

A CASI Zoom Event

Presenter

Dr. Azzedine Dadouche

Senior Research Officer
National Research Council Aerospace Research Centre

Air-to-air collisions with birds or drones represent a real risk for civilian and military aircraft. To ensure passengers’ safety and mitigate risks, regulators (i.e. Transport Canada and Federal Aviation Administration, etc.) require engine and airframe manufacturers to certify their products for bird strike/ingestion at representative conditions (impact speed, bird weight and environment temperature). Although these regulations have been in force for decades, certification testing remains a highly-specialized field, with unique problems to be solved for each test program. On the other hand, aerial drones have been increasingly used over the last decade resulting in new challenges to the aerospace industry as no certification for drone impact/ingestion is in place. To address these concerns, regulators have already implemented regulations dealing with the operation of drones, especially in sensitive areas such as airports where a safe distance must be observed. However, the risk of impacting an aircraft at low altitude remains from both malicious and/or careless operators.

In collaboration with Transport Canada and Defence Research and Development Canada, the National Research Council has built a Super Cannon and performed a series of experiments simulating impacts between a representative quadcopter drone and various aircraft materials and components.  Tests were performed at operating conditions typical for approach and cruising speeds of an aircraft under 10,000 feet (3,048 m). This presentation gives an analysis on the type and severity of the damage that may be caused during such collisions.

This virtual presentation will be followed by a question and answer period. Of course the chat room will be available to share comments and questions. A podcast will be available after but be there for the chat and video feeds of your colleagues!