Part 17: Model Aircraft Missions with Aviator

This training requires additional licenses to complete. You can obtain the necessary license for the training by visiting http://licensing.agi.com/stk/evaluation or calling AGI support.

Lesson 17.1: Aviator

Aviator provides an enhanced method for modeling aircraft - more accurate and more flexible than the standard Great Arc propagator.

The U.S. Marine Corps used AGI's software as a pre-mission planning tool to optimize expensive combat assets (UAVs, planes) and protect warfighters in Afghanistan's physically challenging terrain. You can read more in this case study: U.S. Marine Corps Combat Development Command Fields STK-Base UAS Tool in Afghanistan.

With Aviator, the aircraft's route is modeled by a sequence of curves parameterized by well known performance characteristics of aircraft, including cruise airspeed, climb rate, roll rate, and bank angle. The precise state of an aircraft at any given time can be computed analytically - swiftly and without excessive data storage needs.

An aircraft using Aviator is defined by the type of aircraft and by the mission it performs. This structure allows you to utilize an aircraft for much more than simple linear travel.

Create a New Aviator Scenario, Model a Runway, Location to Fly Over, and an Aircraft with the Aviator Propagator

Watch the following video, then follow the steps below incorporating the systems and missions you work on (sample inputs provided).

  1. Create a new scenario with the default time period.Closed
    1. Click the Create a new scenario () button.
    2. In the New Scenario Wizard, set the following options:
      • Enter a name for the scenario (e.g. STK_Aviator).
      • Define the analysis start and stop times or accept the defaults.
    3. Click OK.
  2. Add Analytical Terrain to the scenarioClosed
    1. Open Globe Manager ().
    2. Click the Add Terrain/Imagery () button and browse to the terrain data file (e.g. PtMugu_ChinaLake.pdtt).
      1. The example file is located at <STK Install Folder>\Help\stktraining\samples\SeaRangeResources

      Depending on the desired terrain file, you may need to change the file type when browsing.

      The STK Install folder is different depending on what version of STK you have installed. The STK 64 bit version install folder is C:\Program Files\AGI\STK 11.

    3. Click OK to apply changes and dismiss the Properties Browser.
  3. Load ARINC424 Runways using the Aviator Catalog Manager.Closed
    1. Open the Utilities menu and select Aviator Catalog Manager.
    2. Expand Runways and select ARINC424 Runways.
    3. Enable the Use Master Data File and click the ellipsis () button.
    4. Browse to <STK Install Folder>\Help\stktraining\samples.
    5. Select FAANFD18 and click Open.
    6. In the Aviator Catalog Manager, click Save.
    7. Close the Aviator Catalog Manager.
  4. Insert a Ship () object using the Define Properties () method.Closed
    1. Change the Altitude Reference to MSL.
    2. Change the Route Calculation Method to Specify Time.
    3. Click Insert Point.
    4. Set the Latitude to 33.5 deg.
    5. Set the Longitude to -120 deg.
    6. Click Insert Point.
    7. Add three (3) hours to the Time and Click OK. The ship's location will be used as one of the aircraft's waypoints. We need to make sure that the ship exists during the aircraft's entire flight.
  5. Model an aircraft with the Aviator Propagator.Closed
    1. Insert an aircraft using the From Standard Object Database method.
    2. Type Hornet in the Name field and click Search.
    3. Select FA-18C_Hornet and click Insert.
    4. Close the Search Standard Object Database.
  6. Define an aircraft route using the Aviator Propagator.Closed
    1. Open FA-18C_Hornet's () Properties ().
    2. Right-click on Phase 1 and select Insert First Procedure for Phase () button.
    3. In the Select Site Type field, select Runway from Catalog.Closed
      1. In the Filter field, type mugu and click the Enter key on your keyboard.
      2. Select POINT MUGU NAS (NAVAL BASE VEN 03 21) and click Next.
      3. Select Takeoff in the the Select Procedure Type field.
      4. Set the Runway Altitude Offset to seven (7) feet.
      5. Enable the Use Terrain for Runway Altitude option.
      6. Click Finish.
      7. Click Apply.
    4. When the Flight Path Warning appears, set the Globe Reference to MSL and click OK.
    5. Right-click on the Takeoff procedure and select Insert Procedure After ().Closed
      1. Select STK Object Waypoint and link to Ship1 ().
      2. Set the Offset Mode to Bearing/Range (relative to North).
      3. Set the Range to ten (10) nm.
      4. Click Next.
      5. Select Enroute ().
      6. Set the name to Fly 10 nm from Ship.
      7. Disable the Use Aircraft Default Cruise Altitude.
      8. Set the MSL Altitude to 15000 ft.
      9. Set the Nav Mode to Arrive on Course.
      10. Set the Arrive on Course option to 180 deg (True).
      11. Click Finish.
      12. Click Apply.
    6. Right-click on the Fly 10 nm from Ship procedure and select Insert Procedure After ().Closed
      1. Select the End of Previous Procedure option.
      2. Click Next.
      3. Select the Basic Maneuver page and set the name to Straight to 2 nm.
      4. Ensure the Strategy is set to Straight Ahead and enable the Downrange stop condition.
      5. Set the Downrange stop condition to two (2) nm.
      6. Click Finish.
      7. Click Apply.
    7. Right-click on the Straight 2 nm procedure and select Insert Procedure After ().Closed
      1. Select the End of Previous Procedure () option.
      2. Click Next.
      3. Select the Basic Maneuver option and set the Name to Weave.
      4. Set the Strategy to Weave and enable the Downrange Stop Condition.
      5. Set the Downrange Stop Condition to one (1) nm.
      6. Click Finish twice.
      7. Click Apply.
    8. Right-click on the Weave procedure and select Insert Procedure After ().Closed
      1. Select the End of Previous Procedure () option.
      2. Click Next.
      3. Select Basic Maneuver and set the Name to Loop.
      4. Set the Strategy option to Loop.
      5. In the Load Factor option, set the Bottom of Loop option to five (5) G-SeaLevel.
      6. Click Finish.
      7. Click Apply.
    9. Right-click on the Loop procedure and select Insert Procedure After ().Closed
      1. Select the End of Previous Procedure () option.
      2. Click Next.
      3. Select Basic Maneuver and set the Name to Left Turn.
      4. Set the Strategy option to Simple Turn.
      5. Click Finish.
      6. Click Apply.
    10. Multi-select the Weave and Loop procedures.
    11. Right-click on the two procedures and extend the Copy, Paste, Edit menu.
    12. Select the Copy Procedures option.
    13. Right-click on the Turn Left procedure and select Insert Procedure After ().Closed
      1. Select the Super Procedure () option.
      2. Set the Name to Repeat Maneuvers.
      3. Click Next.
      4. Click the Load Procedures from Clipboard button. You will notice the two procedures are added.
      5. Click Finish.
      6. Click Apply.
    14. Right-click on the Repeat Maneuvers procedure and select Insert Procedure After ().Closed
      1. Select the Runway from Catalog option.
      2. In the Filter field, type mugu and click Enter on your keyboard.
      3. Select the POINT MUGU NAS (NAVAL BASE VEN 03 21) option.
      4. Click Next.
      5. Select Landing.
      6. Change the Approach Mode to Intercept Glideslope.
      7. Set the Runway Altitude Offset to seven (7) ft.
      8. Enable the Use Terrain for Runway Altitude option.
      9. Click Finish.
      10. Click Apply.
    15. Check Fuel State.Closed
      1. Right-click on the Landing procedure and select Profile Data at Final State.
      2. Locate the Fuel Consumed and note the value.
      3. Close the Profile Data at Final State window.
    16. Enable dynamic wind from NOAA ADDS Service (internet required ()).Closed
      1. Click the Mission Wind Model () button to enable wind.
      2. Change the Model type to NOAA ADDS Service.
      3. Click the Manage Data... change.
      4. Click the Add Current Forecast button.
      5. Click OK to accept and dismiss the ADDS Message Properties.
    17. Enable dynamic wind from NOAA ADDS Service (No internet).Closed
      1. Click the Mission Wind Model () button to enable wind.
      2. Set the Wind Speed to 50 nm/hr.
      3. Click OK.
    18. Recheck the Fuel State.Closed
      1. Right-click on the Landing procedure and select Profile Data at Final State.
      2. Locate the Fuel Consumed and note the value.
      3. Close the Profile Data at Final State window.
    19. Add Crosswinds to the Mission Profile Window.Closed
      1. Right-click on the Mission Profile Window.
      2. Select Profile Options/Properties.
      3. Enable the Secondary Y Axis.
      4. Select Course Crosswind.
      5. Click OK.
    20. Return to the 3D Graphics window and Reset () the animation.
    21. Zoom To the FA-18C_Hornet ().
    22. Play () the animation and watch the flight.

    As you watch the nose of the aircraft, you will see crosswinds affect the aircraft. This is called a crab angle.

Don't forget to save your work!

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