Matthias Heller

Short CV

1987-1992 Aerospace engineering at the Technische Universität München

1992 Diploma Thesis „Optimal Control of the Separation Maneuver of a two-staged Hypersonic Air System.

1992 Graduation as Diplom Ingenieur (Dipl.-Ing. univ.) Luft-und Raumfahrttechnik/Aerospace

1992-1999 Research Assistant at the former Institute of Flight Mechanics and Flight Control of TUM

1999 Graduation as Doktor Ingenieur (Dr.-Ing.) at Technische Universität München with distinction (summa com). Dissertation (PhD thesis): “Analysis and Robust Control of the Lateral Dynamics of Hypersonic Vehicles”

1999 Working with EADS CASSIDIAN Air Systems, formerly EADS Military Air Systems. First as Research and Development Engineer within the department Flight Mechanics & Flight Guidance

2002-2007 Lecturer and responsible for control theory, flight mechanics and flight control at the Joanneum Graz within “Austrian EFA Offset”

2007 Appointment as Expert Advisor “Flight Mechanics” for the entire BUCASSIDIAN Air Systems; Dept. Flight Control & Navigation Systems

2009 Regular Lecturer for “Flight Dynamics Design Challenges of Highly Augmented Aircraft” at TUM FSD

2010 Rudolf Diesel Industry Fellow of TUM-IAS; new Focus Group „Aircraft Stability and Control“, Research: „Dynamics, Performance, Stability and Control of Innovative Autonomous Flight Systems

2017 Appointment as Honorary Professor for Highly Augmented Aircraft Systems at Technische Universität München, now leading the special field of “Flight Dynamics and Control of Highly Augmented Aircraft, Handling Qualities and Pilot-in-the-Loop Oscillations (PIO)”

Before joining the SADAS Focus Group, Dr. Heller was a part of the Focus Group Aircraft Stability and Control.


Selected Awards

2001, Willy Messerschmitt Prize for the research studies on Flight Dynamics and Control


Research Interests

Flight Mechanics:

  • Configuration assessment for new aircraft designs
  • Flight dynamics modeling & simulation, Implicit trim & linearization algorithms
  • Stability- and controllability analysis
  • Specification and evaluation of handling qualities, PIO-detection & Prevention

Flight Control:

  • Design and Clearance of flight control systems
  • Control System Stability, Performance and Robustness Analysis
  • Advanced Synthesis and Analysis Tools Development for FCS Design
  • Robust Control Theory and Application

Selected Publications

  • Holzapfel, F; Heller, M; Weingartner, M; Sachs, G; da Costa, O: Development of control laws for the simulation of a new transport aircraft. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part G: Journal of Aerospace Engineering 223 (2), 2009, 141-156.
  • Heller, M.; Steiner, H.-J.; Colloseus, J.; Seifert, J.: Multidisziplinärer Entwurf and flugdynamische Modellierung eines Tandem Tilt-Wing Demonstrators. DGLR Jahrestagung, 2009.
  • Kharitonov, A.; Brodetsky, M.; Vasenyov, L.; Adamov, N.; Breitsamter, C.; M. Heller, M.: Investigation of Aerodynamic Characteristics of the Models of a Two-Stage Aerospace System During Separartion. Technische Universität München, 2009.
  • Heller, M.; Brieger, O.; Ossmann, D.: Identifizierung eines Pilotenmodells anhand von Flugversuchsdaten für Flugeigenschaftsbewertungen. DGLR Jahrestagung and CEAS Conference, 2008.
  • Heller, M.; Brieger, O.; Ossmann, D.: Adaptation and Modification of the nonlinear Olop-Pio-Criterion on modern FLight Control Stategies. AIAA Guidance, Navigation & Control Conference, 2008.
  • Herrnberger, M.; Heller, M.; Paul, R.; S. Hecker, S.: Advanced Uncertainty Modeling and Robustness Analysis for the Basic Flight Control System of a Modern Jet Trainer,. AIAA Guidance, Navigation & Control Conference, 2007.
  • Pfifer, H.; Paul, R.; Heller, M.: Entwicklung and Validierung eines fortschrittlichen flugdynamischen Simulationsmodells für ein modernes Hochleistungsflugzeug. DGLR Jahrestagung, 2006.
  • Herrnberger, M.; Heller, M.; Leitner, R.; Sachs, G.: Fortschrittliche Unsicherheitsmodellierung and Robustheitsanalyse für den Basisregler eines modernen Trainers. DGLR Jahrestagung, 2006.
  • Heller, M.; Brieger, O.; Ossmann, D.: Höhere Flugeigenschaftsanalyse and Pio-Prävention im Rahmen der Entwicklung moderner Hochleistungsflugzeuge. DGLR Jahrestagung, 2006.
  • Heller, M.; DaCosta, O.; Holzapfel, F.; Sachs, G.: Development of a Longitudinal Flight Control System for a new Transport Aircraft. AIAA Guidance, Navigation & Control Conference, 2006.
  • Heller, M.; DaCosta, O.; Holzapfel, F.; Sachs, G.: Development of a Lateral-Directional Flight Control System for a new Transport Aircraft. AIAA Guidance, Navigation & Control Conference, 2006.
  • Heller, M.; DaCosta, O.; Holzapfel, F.; Sachs, G.: Development of Control Laws for the Simulation of a new Transport Aircraft. ICAS Conference, 2006.
  • Heller, M.; Myschik, S.; Holzapfel, F.; Sachs, G.: Windmeßsystem auf Niedrigkosten-Basis für Kleinflugzeuge,. Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress, 2004.
  • Heller, M.; Myschik, S.; Holzapfel, F.; Sachs, G.: Low-Cost Wind Measurement System for Small Aircraft. AIAA Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference and Exhibition Providence, 2004.
  • Heller, M.; Myschik, S.; Holzapfel, F.; Sachs, G.: Angles of Attack and Sideslip Determination Based on Navigation Data. European Journal of Navigation 1, 2003, 57-63.
  • Zähringer, C.; Heller, M.; Sachs, G.: Lateral Separation Dynamics and Stability of a Two-Stage Hypersonic Vehicle. Proceedings of AIAA 12th International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference, 2003.
  • Heller, M.; Myschik, S.; Holzapfel, F.; Sachs, G.: Low-cost System zur Bestimmung von Anstell- und Schiebewinkel für Kleinflugzeuge. Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress, 2003.
  • Heller, M.; Myschik, S.; Holzapfel, F.; Sachs, G.: Low-cost Approach based on Navigation Data for determining Angles of Attack and Sideslip for Small Aircraft. AIAA Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference and Exhibition, 2003.
  • Heller, M.; Myschik, S.; Holzapfel, F.; Sachs, G.: Navigation System based Determination of Angles of Attack and Sideslip for General Aviation Aircraft. AVIGEN, 2002.
  • Breitsamter, Christian; Cvrlje, Tomislav; Laschka, Boris; Heller, Matthias; Sachs, Gottfried: Lateral-Directional Coupling and Unsteady Aerodynamic Effects of Hypersonic Vehicles. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets 38 (2), 2001, 159-167.
  • Heller, M.: Ein Stabilisierbarkeitskriterium für moderne instabile Flugzeugkonfigurationen. Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress, 2001.
  • Holzapfel, F.; Heller, M.; Zähringer, C.; Sachs, G.: Flight Dynamics Modelling Environment for Controller Design and Analysis of Hypersonic Vehicles. 10th AIAA/NAL/NASDA/ISAS International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference, 2001.
  • Heller, M.; Schönhoff, A.: Entwicklung des Departure Warning Systems (DWS99) für das Flugsystem TORNADO. DGLR Deutscher Luft‑ und Raumfahrtkongress, 2000.
  • Heller, M.; Holzapfel, F.; Sachs, G.: Robuste Regelung der Seitenbewegung von Hyperschallflugzeugen. DGLR Deutscher Luft‑ und Raumfahrtkongress, 2000.
  • Heller, M.; Holzapfel, F.; Sachs, G.: Unique Lateral Coupling Problems of Hypersonic Aircraft. Second International Conference on Unconventional Flight – UNCONF, 2000.
  • Heller, M.; Holzapfel, F.; Sachs, G.: Robust Lateral Control of Hypersonic Vehicles. AIAA Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference and Exhibition, 2000.
  • Heller, M.; Holzapfel, F.; Sachs, G.: Die Phygoide der Seitenbewegung – Ein Flugeigenschaftsproblem bei Hyperschall-Fluggeräten. Seminar des Sonderforschungsbereiches 255, 2000.
  • Cvrlje, T.; Breitsamter, C.; Laschka, B.; Heller, M.; Sachs, G.: Unsteady and Coupling Aerodynamic Effects on the lateral Motion in hypersonic Flight. Proceedings of AIAA 9th International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference, 1999.

Publications as TUM-IAS-Fellow

2018

  • Kugler, Martin E.; Seiferth, David; Heller, Matthias; Holzapfel, Florian: Real-time monitoring of flight tests with a novel fixed-wing UAV by automatic flight guidance and control system engineers. 2018 4th International Conference on Control, Automation and Robotics (ICCAR), IEEE, 2018 more… BibTeX Full text ( DOI )
  • Kügler, Martin E.; Heller, Matthias; Holzapfel, Florian: Automatic Take-off and Landing on the Maiden Flight of a Novel Fixed-Wing UAV. 2018 Flight Testing Conference, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2018 more… BibTeX Full text ( DOI )
  • Seiferth, David; Heller, Matthias; Holzapfel, Florian: Automatic safe area detection for novel unmanned air vehicle. 2018 4th International Conference on Control, Automation and Robotics (ICCAR), IEEE, 2018 more… BibTeX Full text ( DOI )
  • Seiferth, David; Kügler, Martin E.; Heller, Matthias: In-Flight Verification of a model-based designed Ground Controller for an innovative Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV). 2018 Flight Testing Conference, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2018 more… BibTeX Full text ( DOI )
  • Weiser, Christian; Ossmann, Daniel; Heller, Matthias: In-Flight Validation of a Robust Flight Controller Featuring Anti-Windup Compensation. 2018 Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2018 more… BibTeX Full text ( DOI )

2017

  • Seiferth, David; Heller, Matthias: Testing and performance enhancement of a model-based designed ground controller for a diamond-shaped unmanned air vehicle (UAV). 2017 IEEE Conference on Control Technology and Applications (CCTA), IEEE, 2017 more… BibTeX Full text ( DOI )
  • Seiferth, David; Kuchar, Richard; Heller, Matthias: Model-based design and real live on-runway testing of a ground controller for a novel diamond-shaped Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV). 2017 IEEE 56th Annual Conference on Decision and Control (CDC), IEEE, 2017 more… BibTeX Full text ( DOI )
  • Vrdoljak, Milan; Viertler, Franz; Hajek, Manfred; Heller, Matthias: Helicopter Pilot Model for Pitch Attitude Tracking Task. In: Advances in Aerospace Guidance, Navigation and Control. Springer International Publishing, 2017 more… BibTeX Full text ( DOI )

2014

  • Braun, Stanislav; Geiser, Markus; Heller, Matthias; Holzapfel, Florian: Configuration assessment and preliminary control law design for a novel diamond-shaped UAV. 2014 International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (ICUAS), IEEE, 2014 more… BibTeX Full text ( DOI )

2013

  • Heller, Matthias; Baier, Thaddäus; Schuck, Falko: Lateral Fly by Wire Control System Dedicated to Future Small Aircraft. In: Advances in Aerospace Guidance, Navigation and Control. Springer Science + Business Media, 2013 more… BibTeX Full text ( DOI )
  • Schuck, F.; Heller, M.; Baier, T.; Holzapfel, F.: Longitudinal robust controller for excellent handling qualities design of a general aviation aircraft using QF. AIAA Guidance, 2013 more… BibTeX
  • Schuck, Falko; Heller, Matthias; Baier, Thaddäus; Holzapfel, Florian: Longitudinal Robust Controller for Excellent Handling Qualities Design of a General Aviation Aircraft using QFT. AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Conference, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2013 more… BibTeX Full text ( DOI )
  • Zhang, Fubiao; Holzapfel, Florian; Heller, Matthias: Nonlinear Non-cascaded Reference Model Architecture for Flight Control Design. In: Advances in Aerospace Guidance, Navigation and Control. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2013 more… BibTeX Full text ( DOI )

2012

  • Geiser, M.; Heller, M.: Flight Dynamics Analysis and Basic Stabilization Study in Early Design Stages of the SAGITTA Demonstrator UAV. DGLR Deutscher Luft‑ und Raumfahrtkongress, 2012 more… BibTeX
  • Heller, M.; Schluck, F.; Holzapfel, F; Peter, L.: Hybrides Flugsteuerungssystem für zukünftige Kleinflugzeuge. DGLR Deutscher Luft‑ und Raumfahrtkongress, 2012 more… BibTeX

2011

  • Heller, M.; Schluck, F.; Holzapfel, F,; Peter, L.: Hybrid Control System for a Future Small Aircraft,. AIAA Guidance, Navigation & Control Conference, 2011 more… BibTeX