Thesis Projects
It is possible to write a student research project or diploma thesis at the Chair of Flight Mechanics and Control in one of the topics listed below. If you are interested, please contact directly the contact persons assigned to the respective topic. If you are unsure about the choice of your topic, if you would like general advice or if you have your own topic suggestion for writing a thesis, please also contact one of the mentioned contact persons. Please avoid applying for multiple projects initially. All contact persons happily provide alternative topics and advice in a general consultation.
Topics:
The field of robust control theory deals with the development and application of control and analysis methods for (linear) systems whose model behaviour is subject to uncertainty. The ever-increasing complexity of systems makes it a highly challenging and equally motivating research topic. Student research projects in this research field include:
- Development and application of methods for the robust control of linear systems, with a focus on linear parameter varying and linear time varying systems.
- Development and application of methods for worst-case and stochastic robustness analysis of linear systems, with a focus on linear parameter varying and linear time varying systems.
Contact:

Professor
NameProf. Dr.-Ing Harald Pfifer
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Topics:
The research field of control of space systems is primarily concerned with the control and analysis of launch vehicles. Space applications represent both a highly complex and thus exciting application example for control engineering, as well as a steadily growing future market. Student research projects in this topic include:
- Control and analysis of current launch vehicles and spacecraft.
- Development of models for reusable launch vehicles and landing systems
- Development of concepts for the control and analysis of reusable launch vehicles and planetary landing systems
Contact:

Research Associate
NameDr. Felix Biertümpfel
Control of Space Systems
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Topics:
The research topic of wind turbine control covers both the development and application of modern control and analysis concepts for wind turbines. Renewable energies are essential for a sustainable future. Wind turbines therefore represent a future-oriented, motivating and highly interdisciplinary topic for student research projects, which benefits greatly from synergy effects from aeronautical engineering. Possible topics for theses include:
- Modelling of wind turbines and their subsystems
- Control and analysis of rotor systems
- Development of modern control and analysis concepts of wind turbines and their subsystems
- Aeroelastic investigations of rotor blades
Contact:

Research Assistant
NameDipl.-Ing. Hannes Rienecker
UAV flight path planning
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Topics:
The research topic flight controls adresses layout and analysis of classic closed loop controllers for modern aircraft, but also the development of control concepts for more efficient future configurations, for istance highly flexible flying wings. Moderen flight control is strongly coupled with other tipics such as structural dynamics and aerodynamics. It is a highly interdisciplinary, motivating and future-oriented topic. Studients' thesis' may comprise:
- Classical flight controls and autopilots
- Closed loop control systems for minimization of aeroelastic effects for flexible aircraft
- Development of envelope protection systems and pilot assistance systems
- Analysis of robustness and performance of flight control systems
Contact:

Research Assistant
NameMr Dipl.-Ing. Frederik Thiele
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Topics:
Aircraft aerodynamics is focused on the investigation of a variety of fluid mechanical effects as well as the development of systems that increase the efficiency of future wings and aircraft configurations. Aircraft aerodynamics provides a diversified field of research with a strong focus on future applications. Topics for students' thesis are among others:
- Velocity measurement in air flows at very low density
- Effect of tangetial blowing at the wing-fuselage-junction
- Design, manufacturing and calibration of a very sensitive force balance for wind tunnel measurements on small UAV
- Thrust measurements on propellers for small UAV
Contact:

Research Assistant
NameDipl.-Ing. Jürgen Frey
Boundary Layer Transition
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Topics:
Thermofluiddynamics deals with the fundamentals of heat and mass transfer in flows. In particular for student projects, the focus is on the design and construction of equipment for various applications and the application to turbomachinery. Among other topics these include:
- Qualification of a test rig for investigation on heat radiators
- Experimental/numerical investigation of cooling air flows in generators for hydropower plants
Contact:

Head of Experimental Aerodynamics
NameDr.-Ing. Veit Hildebrand
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For bookbinding of students' thesis' the ILR has a special contract with "Die Kopie 24".