Services & Capabilities

Studies & Custom Physics Toolchains

Focus & Scope: Conceptual engineering studies, first-principles physics formulation, and high-speed software and engineering tools.

Special Know-how: First-principles multi-physics formulations, high-speed C++/Python solver architecture, and rapid parameter sweeping for unconventional concepts.

• High-Speed Solvers: Numerical solvers written in modern C++, Python including automatic differentiation (AD) for gradient-based tools.
• JAX Models: Models in JAX for accelerated computing and machine learning applications.
• Parametric Sweeps: Fast tools for early-stage conceptual sizing and parametric sweeps.
• MDO Engines: Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) engines for dynamic systems or engineering tools.
• Feasibility Analysis: Physics-grounded technical reviews, sensitivity studies, and executive feasibility reports.
• Tools for AWE: Custom simulation environments for Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) systems, including tether dynamics and flight path optimization.

Simulations, Digital Twins, Flight Control

Focus & Scope: High-fidelity simulation environments and model-based control laws for complex, coupled flight vehicles. Fast simulation toolchains are designed to be accessible to software engineers of all experience levels, with Python front ends.

Special Know-how: Coupled tethered-flight dynamics, flexible-tether multibody mechanics, tethered payloads, winch dynamics, real-time HIL/SIL flight simulation test beds, and integrated aerodynamic toolboxes.

• Coupled Tethered Flight Simulator: A specialized toolchain that combines flexible-tether multibody dynamics with tightly coupled, real-time VLM aerodynamic models. Optimized in C++ with a Python front end, it powers real-time simulation engines and visual flight simulators.
• Multibody & Tether Dynamics: Fast and robust solvers for single/multi-tether systems, hanging payloads, winch launch, and tethered flight or AWE (Kite Power).
• Real-Time Flight Simulation: Interactive flight simulator and visualization for rapid pilot intuition and HIL/SIL testing.
• Model-Based Control Laws: Cascaded flight controllers, path controllers, model-based controllers for tethered systems, control allocators, deployable flight-control code.
• High-Dynamic State Estimation: Extended Kalman Filters (EKF) for sensor fusion and tether angle estimation.
• Software Architecture: State machines, robotics middleware, logging and debugging applications designed to be lean, simple, transparent, and easy to understand.

Aerodynamic Optimization & Vehicle Design

Focus & Scope: Aerodynamic layout, wing design and optimization for high-efficiency and stability of unconventional configurations.

Special Know-how: Gradient-driven aerodynamic shape optimization (C++), nonlinear Vortex Methods (VLM/LLT) with stall models and direct flight simulation integration.

• Custom Aero Toolchain: Custom aero solver allowing the integration of unconventional features. Features include a stall model, multi-element airfoil models, nonlinear aerodynamics, and automated trim routines resulting in detailed aerodynamic databases and polar curves.
• Gradient-based Optimization: Integration of Automatic Differentiation (C++) to optimize chord, twist, and flap schedules without finite-difference bottlenecks. Enables optimization of stall margins, asymmetric flap deflections, and much more.
• Aircraft Sizing & Vehicle Design: Complete geometry definition, stability derivative analysis, center-of-gravity / trim envelopes, CAD models, and sketches.
• Flying Wing & Low-Reynolds Specialization: Designing flying wings for the best trade-off between efficiency and stability—including multi-flap vehicles.

Rapid Prototyping & Flight Test Support

Focus & Scope: Physical concept validation, rapid prototyping of functional subassemblies, and technical support during flight tests.

Special Know-how: A seamless combination of rapid prototyping, engineering, and design. Dedicated, fast, and cost-effective mold-building methods for full-carbon wings, specialized techniques for canopy-tensioned wings, and custom tooling workflows. This work draws on experience building more than 30 aircraft prototypes, from canopy-tensioned to fully composite wings.

• CAD & Design: Lean and pragmatic design of parts or complete vehicles.
• Workshop Prototyping: Composite parts fabrication in a personal workshop, including CFRP/GFRP wet layup and vacuum bagging, 4-axis CNC milling, 3D printing, canopy-tensioned wings, full-composite structures, and filament winding.
• Production & Material Studies: Manufacturing of samples, individual parts, complete vehicle prototypes, and comparative material studies.
• Advanced Molds & Tooling: Design and fabrication using inflatable molds, positive molds, negative molds, and filament winding techniques.
• Pre-Test & Verification: Support on defining targeted sub-tests prior to full system tests, including Iron Bird setups and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) tests.
• Flight Test Campaign Accompaniment: On-field engineering support, pilot sparring, control monitoring, and general operational support.
• Data-Driven Iteration: Flight test data analysis, bug fixing, and model validation matching real-world behavior to simulations.