Robust Flight Control

Robustness and performance are critical for aerospace vehicles—from UAVs and rotorcraft to passenger aircraft, fighter jets, and space launchers—to ensure safe, reliable, and predictable operation in the presence of uncertainties, disturbances, and component imperfections.

This course offers a comprehensive treatment of the modeling, analysis, and design of robust flight control systems. Students will learn to characterize and manage uncertainties, evaluate system performance and stability across varying flight conditions, and design controllers that maintain desired behavior.

Combining theoretical foundations with hands-on experience, the course leverages advanced computational tools to equip students with the skills required to design, develop, and implement certifiable flight control systems for demanding aerospace applications. Graduates will be prepared to address complex robustness challenges in both industrial and research environments, bridging the gap between academic theory and practical implementation.

The assessment includes 7 quizzes (20% of the final grade), a 15 minute oral assessment (30% of the final grade) and a written assessment involving a case study of the X-29A aircraft (50% of the final grade). An optional control design competition is also organized as a take-home exercise permitting the best designs to get full grade on the oral assessment.