School of Engineering

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.

List all by: Type | Date

Jump to: 2013 | 2012 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2001 | 1990 | 1989
Number of items: 26.

2013

Avanzini, G., Thomson, D., and Torasso, A. (2013) Model predictive control architecture for rotorcraft inverse simulation. Journal of Guidance, Control and Dynamics, 36 (1). pp. 207-217. ISSN 0731-5090 (doi:10.2514/1.56563)

Anderson, D., and Thomson, D. (2013) Analysing evasive manoeuvre effectiveness in helicopter survivability simulation. Journal of Guidance, Control and Dynamics . ISSN 0731-5090 (In Press)

2012

Bagiev, M., Thomson, D., Anderson, D., and Murray-Smith, D. (2012) Predictive inverse simulation of helicopters in aggressive manoeuvring flight. Aeronautical Journal, 116 (1175). pp. 87-98. ISSN 0001-9240

2010

Houston, S., and Thomson, D. (2010) The aerodynamics of gyroplanes. Technical Report. Civil Aviation Authority.

Bagiev, M., and Thomson, D. (2010) Handling qualities assessment of an autogiro. Journal of the American Helicopter Society, 55 (3). ISSN 0002-8711 (doi:10.4050/JAHS.55.032003)

Anderson, D., and Thomson, D. (2010) Simulating effectiveness of helicopter evasive manoeuvres to RPG attack. In: SPIE Defence, Security & Sensing Conference Paper Number 77050N, 5-9 April 2010, Orlando, USA.

2009

Anderson, D., and Thomson, D.G. (2009) Improving rotorcraft survivability to RPG attack using inverse methods. Proceedings of the SPIE: The International Society for Optical Engineering, 7483 . 74830M. ISSN 0277-786X (doi:10.1117/12.832298)

Bagiev, M, and Thomson, D.G. (2009) Handling qualities evaluation of an autogiro against the existing rotorcraft criteria. Journal of Aircraft, 46 (1). pp. 168-174. ISSN 0021-8669 (doi:10.2514/1.37289)

Houston, S.S., and Thomson, D.G. (2009) Calculation of rotorcraft inflow coefficients using blade flapping measurements. Journal of Aircraft, 46 (5). pp. 1569-1576. ISSN 0021-8669

2008

Lu, L., Murray-Smith, D., and Thomson, D.G. (2008) Issues of numerical accuracy and stability in inverse simulation. Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory, 16 (9). pp. 1350-1364. ISSN 1569-190X (doi:10.1016/j.simpat.2008.07.003 )

Thomson, D., and Houston, S. (2008) Advances in the Understanding of Autogyro Flight Dynamics. In: AHS 64th Annual Forum, April 29th - May 1st, 2008, Montreal, Canada.

Cameron, D., and Thomson, D.G. (2008) Scottish contributions to rotary wing flight. In: AHS 64th Annual Forum, April 29th - May 1st, 2008, Montreal, Canada.

Trchalík, J., Gillies, E.A., and Thomson, D.G. (2008) Development of an aeroelastic stability boundary for a rotor in autorotation. In: AHS Specialist's Conference on Aeromechanics, 23-25 January 2008, San Francisco, USA.

2007

Bagiev, M., Thomson, D.G., Anderson, D., and Murray-Smith, D. (2007) Adding realism to inverse simulation of helicopters in aggressive maneuvering flight using a receding horizon approach. In: 63rd Annual Forum of the American Helicopter Society, 1-3 May 2007, Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA.

Bagiev, M., Thomson, D.G., Anderson, D., and Murray-Smith, D. (2007) Hybrid inverse methods for helicopters in aggressive manoeuvring flight. In: 17th IFAC Symposium on Automatic Control in Aerospace, June 2007, Toulouse, France.

2006

Thomson, D., and Bradley, R. (2006) Inverse simulation as a tool for flight dynamics research - Principles and applications. Progress in Aerospace Sciences, 42 (3). pp. 174-210. ISSN 0376-0421 (doi:10.1016/j.paerosci.2006.07.002)

2005

Thomson, D.G., Coton, F., and Galbraith, R. (2005) A simulation study of helicopter ship landing procedures incorporating measured flow-field data. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part G: Journal of Department of Aerospace Engineering, 219 . pp. 411-427. (doi:10.1243/095441.005X30351)

Thomson, DG, and Houston, SS (2005) Application of parameter estimation to improved autogyro simulation model fidelity. Journal of Aircraft, 42 . pp. 33-40.

Thomson, DG, Houston, SS, and Spathopoulos, VM (2005) Experiments in autogiro airworthiness for improved handling qualities. Journal of the American Helicopter Society, 50 . pp. 295-301.

2004

Bagiev, M., Thomson, D.G., and Houston, S.S. (2004) Autogiro Handing Qualities Assessment. In: American Helicopter Society 60th Annual Forum, Baltimore, USA.

Thomson, D.G., and Houston, S.S. (2004) Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Autogyro Flight Dynamics. In: 24th International Congress of Aeronautical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan.

2003

Cameron, D., Galbraith, R.A., and Thomson, D.G. (2003) From Pilcher to the Planets. University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK. ISBN 085216778X

2001

Houston, S.S., Thomson, D.G., and Spathopoulos, V.M. (2001) Experiments in Autogyro Airworthiness for Improved Handling Qualities. In: American Helicopter Society 57th Annual Forum, Washington, USA.

Leacock, GR, and Thomson, DG (2001) A technique for predicting pilot model parameters using inverse simulation. Aeronautical Journal, 105 . pp. 97-103. ISSN 0001-9240

1990

Bradley, R., Padfield, G.D., Murray-Smith, D.J., and Thomson, D.G. (1990) Validation of helicopter mathematical models. Transactions of the Institute of Measurement and Control , 12 (4). pp. 186-196. ISSN 0142-3312 (doi:10.1177/014233129001200405 )

1989

Thomson, D.G., Bradley, R., and Murray-Smith, D.J. (1989) Verification and validation of helicopter flight mechanics models. In: 3rd European Simulation Congress, 5th-8th September 1989 , Edinburgh.

This list was generated on Fri May 3 00:38:23 2013 BST.
Jump to: Article | Book | Research Report or Paper | Conference Proceedings
Number of items: 26.

Article

Avanzini, G., Thomson, D., and Torasso, A. (2013) Model predictive control architecture for rotorcraft inverse simulation. Journal of Guidance, Control and Dynamics, 36 (1). pp. 207-217. ISSN 0731-5090 (doi:10.2514/1.56563)

Anderson, D., and Thomson, D. (2013) Analysing evasive manoeuvre effectiveness in helicopter survivability simulation. Journal of Guidance, Control and Dynamics . ISSN 0731-5090 (In Press)

Bagiev, M., Thomson, D., Anderson, D., and Murray-Smith, D. (2012) Predictive inverse simulation of helicopters in aggressive manoeuvring flight. Aeronautical Journal, 116 (1175). pp. 87-98. ISSN 0001-9240

Bagiev, M., and Thomson, D. (2010) Handling qualities assessment of an autogiro. Journal of the American Helicopter Society, 55 (3). ISSN 0002-8711 (doi:10.4050/JAHS.55.032003)

Anderson, D., and Thomson, D.G. (2009) Improving rotorcraft survivability to RPG attack using inverse methods. Proceedings of the SPIE: The International Society for Optical Engineering, 7483 . 74830M. ISSN 0277-786X (doi:10.1117/12.832298)

Bagiev, M, and Thomson, D.G. (2009) Handling qualities evaluation of an autogiro against the existing rotorcraft criteria. Journal of Aircraft, 46 (1). pp. 168-174. ISSN 0021-8669 (doi:10.2514/1.37289)

Houston, S.S., and Thomson, D.G. (2009) Calculation of rotorcraft inflow coefficients using blade flapping measurements. Journal of Aircraft, 46 (5). pp. 1569-1576. ISSN 0021-8669

Lu, L., Murray-Smith, D., and Thomson, D.G. (2008) Issues of numerical accuracy and stability in inverse simulation. Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory, 16 (9). pp. 1350-1364. ISSN 1569-190X (doi:10.1016/j.simpat.2008.07.003 )

Thomson, D., and Bradley, R. (2006) Inverse simulation as a tool for flight dynamics research - Principles and applications. Progress in Aerospace Sciences, 42 (3). pp. 174-210. ISSN 0376-0421 (doi:10.1016/j.paerosci.2006.07.002)

Thomson, D.G., Coton, F., and Galbraith, R. (2005) A simulation study of helicopter ship landing procedures incorporating measured flow-field data. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part G: Journal of Department of Aerospace Engineering, 219 . pp. 411-427. (doi:10.1243/095441.005X30351)

Thomson, DG, and Houston, SS (2005) Application of parameter estimation to improved autogyro simulation model fidelity. Journal of Aircraft, 42 . pp. 33-40.

Thomson, DG, Houston, SS, and Spathopoulos, VM (2005) Experiments in autogiro airworthiness for improved handling qualities. Journal of the American Helicopter Society, 50 . pp. 295-301.

Leacock, GR, and Thomson, DG (2001) A technique for predicting pilot model parameters using inverse simulation. Aeronautical Journal, 105 . pp. 97-103. ISSN 0001-9240

Bradley, R., Padfield, G.D., Murray-Smith, D.J., and Thomson, D.G. (1990) Validation of helicopter mathematical models. Transactions of the Institute of Measurement and Control , 12 (4). pp. 186-196. ISSN 0142-3312 (doi:10.1177/014233129001200405 )

Book

Cameron, D., Galbraith, R.A., and Thomson, D.G. (2003) From Pilcher to the Planets. University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK. ISBN 085216778X

Research Report or Paper

Houston, S., and Thomson, D. (2010) The aerodynamics of gyroplanes. Technical Report. Civil Aviation Authority.

Conference Proceedings

Anderson, D., and Thomson, D. (2010) Simulating effectiveness of helicopter evasive manoeuvres to RPG attack. In: SPIE Defence, Security & Sensing Conference Paper Number 77050N, 5-9 April 2010, Orlando, USA.

Thomson, D., and Houston, S. (2008) Advances in the Understanding of Autogyro Flight Dynamics. In: AHS 64th Annual Forum, April 29th - May 1st, 2008, Montreal, Canada.

Cameron, D., and Thomson, D.G. (2008) Scottish contributions to rotary wing flight. In: AHS 64th Annual Forum, April 29th - May 1st, 2008, Montreal, Canada.

Trchalík, J., Gillies, E.A., and Thomson, D.G. (2008) Development of an aeroelastic stability boundary for a rotor in autorotation. In: AHS Specialist's Conference on Aeromechanics, 23-25 January 2008, San Francisco, USA.

Bagiev, M., Thomson, D.G., Anderson, D., and Murray-Smith, D. (2007) Adding realism to inverse simulation of helicopters in aggressive maneuvering flight using a receding horizon approach. In: 63rd Annual Forum of the American Helicopter Society, 1-3 May 2007, Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA.

Bagiev, M., Thomson, D.G., Anderson, D., and Murray-Smith, D. (2007) Hybrid inverse methods for helicopters in aggressive manoeuvring flight. In: 17th IFAC Symposium on Automatic Control in Aerospace, June 2007, Toulouse, France.

Bagiev, M., Thomson, D.G., and Houston, S.S. (2004) Autogiro Handing Qualities Assessment. In: American Helicopter Society 60th Annual Forum, Baltimore, USA.

Thomson, D.G., and Houston, S.S. (2004) Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Autogyro Flight Dynamics. In: 24th International Congress of Aeronautical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan.

Houston, S.S., Thomson, D.G., and Spathopoulos, V.M. (2001) Experiments in Autogyro Airworthiness for Improved Handling Qualities. In: American Helicopter Society 57th Annual Forum, Washington, USA.

Thomson, D.G., Bradley, R., and Murray-Smith, D.J. (1989) Verification and validation of helicopter flight mechanics models. In: 3rd European Simulation Congress, 5th-8th September 1989 , Edinburgh.

This list was generated on Fri May 3 00:38:23 2013 BST.

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