Dr Douglas Thomson
- Senior Lecturer (Aerospace Sciences)
telephone: 01413306145
email: Douglas.Thomson@glasgow.ac.uk
Biography
Dr Thomson graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1983 with a 1st Class Honours Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He then obtained a PhD in Aeronautical Engineering from Glasgow. After 2 years as a research assistant funded by the Royal Aerospace Establishment, he obtained a Royal Society University Research Fellowship allowing him to conduct independent research in the area of inverse simulation. In 1993 he joined the Department of Aerospace Engineering as senior lecturer in flight dynamics, and in 2000 began a period of 7 years as Head of this Department. In 2010, after the restructuring of the Faculty of Engineering into the School of Engineering, Dr Thomson was appointed as Head of the Aerospace Sciences Research Division. He is also currently the Chief Adviser of Studies (Engineering) within the School.
Research Interests
The focus of Dr Thomson’s research has been in rotorcraft flight dynamics. Most notably he has developed widely used techniques for inverse simulation applied to a rotorcraft. This line of research continues with recent applications in developing evasion strategies for helicopter avoidance of RPG threats, and the guidance and control of underwater vehicles. Autogyro flight dynamics is another area of continuing research. Simulation and flight testing of these vehicles has led to important new understanding of their flight characteristics. Dr Thomson is currently developing a fixed base flight simulator for rotorcraft piloted simulation studies.
Expertise
Rotorcraft Mathematical Modelling and Flight Dynamics.
Inverse Simulation.
Handling Qualities.
Piloted Simulation.
Autogyro Flight Dynamics.
Pilot/human operator modelling.
Systems modelling, dynamics and control.
Development of a Research Flight Simulator, 2007-2012, £200,000
Risk Assessment of Helicopter Platform Threats in Current Operational Scenarios, 2011, £31000 (co-holder) D. Anderson
Autogyro Investigation into Limits of Scale & Applicability, 2011, £40000, (co-holders) S.Houston, E.Gillies
Helmet Wind Tunnel Testing, 2011, £10000, (co-holder) R.Green
C. Taylor “The Development of a Simulation Technique for the Analysis of Helicopter Offshore Operations”, Ph.D., 1995
S. Rutherford “Simulation Techniques for the Study of the Manoeuvring of Advanced Rotorcraft Configurations”, Ph.D., 1997
G. Leacock “Helicopter Inverse Simulation for Workload and Handling Qualities Estimation”, Ph.D., 2000
V. Spathopolous “The Assessment of a Rotorcraft Simulation Model in Autorotation by Means of Flight Testing a Light Gyroplane”, PhD, 2001. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/797/
N. Cameron “Identifying Pilot Model Parameters for an Initial Handling Qualities Assessment”, Ph.D., 2002
M. Bagiev “Autogyro Handling Qualities Assessment Using Flight Testing and Simulation Techniques”, Ph.D., 2006
J. Trchalik “Aeroelastic Modelling of Gyroplane Rotors”, Ph.D., 2009, http://theses.gla.ac.uk/1232/
Current students:
K. Ferguson “Validation of Pilot Models through the Prediction of Rotorcraft-Pilot Coupling” Ph.D
N. Nunes “Assessing Helicopter Survivability to Ground Launched Projectiles Using Multi-Fidelity Simulation”, M.Sc.
S. Shahrul “Improved Autogyro Flying Qualities Using Automatic Control Methods”
Flight Dynamics 4
Dynamics & Control 3
Aircraft Handling Qualities & Control 5
Aircraft Flight Dynamics
Aircraft Handling Qualities & Control
Control EE3
University Service:
Member of Senate
Member of Staff Grievance Panel
Member of Senate Student Conduct Committee
Member of Employability Working Group
External Examiner Appointments
City University, London, 2007-2010
University of Liverpool, 2008-2011
University of Manchester, 2010-2013
