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Meeting	ACGS Committee Meeting 133 - Asheville, NC - November 2024
Agenda Location	5 SUBCOMMITTEE A – AERONAUTIC AND SURFACE VEHICLES 5.2 X-57 Lessons Learned from a Flight Controls Perspective
Title	X-57 Lessons Learned from a Flight Controls Perspective
Presenter	James Reynolds
Affiliation	NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC)
Available Downloads*	presentation
	Downloads are available to members who are logged in and either Active* or attended this meeting.
Abstract	This presentation outlines lessons learned from the X-57 program, NASA’s flight demonstrator for distributed electric propulsion (DEP) technology, emphasizing the role of flight controls in addressing critical challenges. The X-57 progressed through four development "Mods," each targeting specific performance metrics, with Mod III/IV focusing on cruise and low-speed DEP operation. Flight control evaluations highlighted the importance of simulator-based pilot training, advanced failure mitigation strategies, and high-fidelity modeling. The DiTTo system, introduced in Mod IV, significantly reduced workload during cruise motor failures by leveraging distributed thrust, though it introduced novel asymmetric failure scenarios. Lessons emphasize the necessity of independent subsystem design reviews, adaptive TRL assessments, and integrated mission planning to enhance safety and efficiency in DEP aircraft development. These findings inform DEP certification, operational procedures, and the design of future electric aircraft systems.