Design and Implementation of an Autonomous Flight Control System for Fixed-Wing Unmanned Aircraft

Context and Justification

Autonomous flight control in fixed-wing unmanned aircraft represents one of the most relevant technical challenges in modern aeronautical engineering. Unlike multirotors, fixed-wing aircraft offer greater energy efficiency and operational range, but require more complex control systems to manage flight dynamics, especially in the irregular atmospheric conditions of the Ecuadorian Andean territory.

This thesis project seeks to design, implement, and validate an autonomous flight control system that allows a fixed-wing aircraft to execute pre-planned missions with precision, including takeoff, waypoint navigation, altitude maintenance, and automatic landing, without human intervention during the mission execution phase.

Main Research Goal

Specific Scope

• Design and implement attitude and navigation control algorithms (PID and adaptive control) optimized for fixed-wing aircraft dynamics under variable wind conditions.
• Integrate a mission planning module with waypoint management, dynamic trajectory adjustment, and automatic return protocols in case of failure.
• Develop and validate the system through Software-In-The-Loop (SITL) simulation before physical field tests.
• Characterize system performance under real flight conditions at EPN campus and certified test zones.

Research Products