Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 February 2016
A methodology is described that determines the statistical confidence bounds on the results from flight flutter tests: modal parameter estimates, flutter margin values and flutter speed estimates, without the need for Monte-Carlo simulation. The approach is based on least squares statistics and eigenvalue perturbation theory applied to the various stages of the analysis process, starting with frequency and damping estimation through to the flutter margin calculations. The technique is demonstrated upon a number of data sets from aeroelastic simulations of flight flutter tests.