Lead researcher at HUN-REN SZTAKI and ARNL participates in PhD defence on advanced wing shape estimation at ISAE-Supaero

On 13 March 2025, Dr. Bálint Vanek, senior researcher at HUN-REN SZTAKI’s Systems and Control Lab and lead researcher of ARNL, participated as a jury member and official rapporteur in the PhD defence of Mr. Francisco Pedrosa Reis at ISAE-Supaero (Higher Institute of Aeronautics and Space) in Toulouse, France. The thesis, titled “Nonlinear Estimation of High Aspect Ratio Aircraft Using Nonlinear Deformation Formulations” was supervised by Dr. Charles Poussot-Vassal and Dr. Leandro Ribeiro Lustosa.

The research addressed cutting-edge challenges in the estimation of flexible aircraft wing deformation using nonlinear formulations – an area that is highly aligned with the work conducted by HUN-REN SZTAKI within the H2020 FliPASED project. In particular, the thesis explored estimation strategies for high aspect ratio wings, focusing on advanced nonlinear modelling and observer design – topics that have direct relevance to HUN-REN SZTAKI’s and ARNL’s research on wing shape estimation and active aeroelastic control.

The defence committee was chaired by Prof. Rafael Palacios (Imperial College London), and included experts from academia and industry: Dr. Flávio Silvestre, Dr. Xuerui Wang, along with the supervisors and Dr. Vanek. The high-level scientific discussion and the candidate’s strong performance highlighted the growing European research collaboration on flight dynamics, structural flexibility, and flight safety.

Dr. Vanek’s participation in the defence reinforces HUN-REN SZTAKI’s position as a key contributor to European research in intelligent and flexible aircraft systems. It also opens new opportunities for future cooperation between HUN-REN SZTAKI, ARNL and leading aerospace institutions such as ISAE-Supaero and ONERA.