Prof. Dr.-Ing. Matthias Heller

26.03.1966 – 02.04.2020

Honorarprofessor für hochgradig-reglergestützte Flugsysteme, Rudolf Diesel Fellow of TUM-IAS

(donation info below)

Dear Friends, Colleagues and Students of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Matthias Heller –

Due to the actual restricted situation, the funeral of Matthias has taken place only with the inner circle of the family. However, as soon as society goes back to normal operation, his family plans to organize a public service for him in his home church.

What can we do now? – Matthias leaves behind four wonderful girls – his wife and three daughters.

Nothing can bring back a Dad – but we all can at least support to reduce all the nuisances and bothering implications dragging behind such a sad event. The family should have their heads free for mourning the loss and remembering a loving husband and father!

Therefore, a donation page has been established. You can find it at https://www.betterplace.me/matthias-heller. By donating you are helping and you are doing something great – every support is welcome.

Please forward and spread this information around – so everybody who knew Matthias is aware of it, his colleagues, friends, students and beyond.

Thank you!

Lectures

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 ; Focus Group "Aircraft Stability and Control" Research: "Dynamics, Performance, Stability and Control of Innovative Autonomous Flight Systems"
2014 Rudolf Diesel Industry Fellow of TUM-IAS ; Focus Group "Safe Adaptive Dependable Aerospace Systems (SADAS)"
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)”.

Awards and Appointments

  • Oct. 27, 1999: Graduation as "Doktor Ingenieur Dr.-Ing." (Ph.D.) in Aerospace Engineering at Technische Universität München; completed with distinction grade “summa cum laude” (best possible grade). Dissertation: "Flight Dynamics Analysis and Robust Control of Hypersonic Vehicles"
  • July 2001: Awarded with "Willy Messerschmitt Prize" for outstanding scientific work in the area of flight dynamics and flight control, awarded biannually by the Willy Messerschmitt Foundation Munich (more information)
  • January 2007: Appointment as Expert Advisor "Flight Mechanics" for the entire Business Unit EADS Military Air Systems; Department: Flight Control & Navigation Systems
  • October 2010: Awarded as "Rudolf Diesel Industry Fellow" of the Institute for Advanced Study (TUM-IAS) and appointment as aff. Prof. at TUM (more information)
  • December 2017: Appointment as Honorary Professor at Technische Universität München for Highly Augmented Aircraft Systems by the TUM President Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Wolfgang A. Herrmann.

Selected Publications

  • T. Cvrlje, C. Breitsamter, B. Laschka, M. Heller und G. Sachs:

    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, November, 1999. Norfolk, Virginia, 1999.

  • M. Heller, F. Holzapfel und G. Sachs:

    Die Phygoide der Seitenbewegung – Ein Flugeigenschaftsproblem bei Hyperschall-Fluggeräten. Seminar des Sonderforschungsbereiches 255. München, 3. Februar 2000.

  • F. Holzapfel, M. Heller und G. Sachs:

    Unique Lateral Coupling Problems of Hypersonic Aircraft. Second International Conference on Unconventional Flight – UNCONF 2000. Balatonfüred, Ungarn, 14. – 16. Juni 2000.

  • M. Heller, F. Holzapfel und G. Sachs:

    Robust Lateral Control of Hypersonic Vehicles. AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference and Exhibit. Denver, CO, 14. – 17. August 2000.

  • M. Heller, F. Holzapfel und G. Sachs:

    Regelung der Seitenbewegung von Hyperschallflugzeugen. DGLR, Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress 2000. Leipzig, 18. – 21. September 2000.

  • M. Heller, A. Schönhoff (et al.):

    Entwicklung des Departure Warning Systems (DWS99) für das Flugsystem TORNADO. DGLR, Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress 2000. Leipzig, 18. – 21. September 2000.

  • A. Kharitonov, M. Brodetsky, L. Vasenyov, N. Adamov, C. Breitsamter und M. Heller:

    Investigation of Aerodynamic Characteristics of the Models of a Two-Stage Aerospace System During Separartion. Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian pision, Institute of Fluid Dynamics and Institute of Flight Mechanics and Flight Control, Technische Universität München, 2000.

  • F. Holzapfel, M. Heller, C. Zähringer und G. Sachs:

    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. Kyoto, Japan, 24. – 27. April 2001.

  • M. Heller:

    Ein Stabilisierbarkeitskriterium für moderne instabile Flugzeugkonfigurationen. Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress 2001. Hamburg, 17. – 20. September 2001.

  • C. Breitsamter and M. Heller (et al.):

    Lateral-Directional Coupling and Unsteady Aerodynamic Effects of Hypersonic Vehicles. AIAA Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Volume 38, Number 2, S. 159-167, März–April 2001.

  • M. Heller, F. Holzapfel, S. Myschik und G. Sachs:

    Navigation System based Determination of Angles of Attack and Sideslip for General Aviation Aircraft. AVIGEN 2002 – Symposium Navigation for General Aviation. Maastricht Aachen Airport, 28. – 29. November 2002. Ed.: Netherlands Institute of Navigation, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ortung und Navigation, Nordic Institute of Navigation. Pernis, Bonn: Netherlands Institute of Navigation, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ortung und Navigation, Nordic Institute of Navigation, 2002.

  • M. Heller, F. Holzapfel, S. Myschik und G. Sachs:

    Angles of Attack and Sideslip Determination Based on Navigation Data. European Journal of Navigation, Volume 1, Number 1, p. 57-63, April 2003. GITC bv, Lemmer, Niederlande, 2003.

  • M. Heller, S. Myschik, F. Holzapfel und G. Sachs:

    Low-cost Approach based on Navigation Data for determining Angles of Attack and Sideslip for Small Aircraft. AIAA Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference and Exhibit. Austin, TX, 11. – 14. August 2003.

  • M. Heller, S. Myschik, F. Holzapfel und G. Sachs:

    Low-cost System zur Bestimmung von Anstell- und Schiebewinkel für Kleinflugzeuge. Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress 2003. München, 17. – 20. November 2003.

  • C. Zähringer, M. Heller und G. Sachs:

    Lateral Separation Dynamics and Stability of a Two-Stage Hypersonic Vehicle. Proceedings of AIAA 12th International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference, Dezember, 2003. Norfolk, Virginia, 2003.

  • M. Heller, S. Myschik, F. Holzapfel und G. Sachs:

    Low-Cost Wind Measurement System for Small Aircraft. AIAA Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference and Exhibit. Providence, Rhode Island, 16. – 19. August 2004.

  • M. Heller, S. Myschik, F. Holzapfel und G. Sachs:

    Windmeßsystem auf Niedrigkosten-Basis für Kleinflugzeuge. Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress 2004. Dresden, 20. – 23. September 2004.

  • F. Holzapfel, O. DaCosta, M. Heller, G. Sachs:

    Development of Control Laws for the Simulation of a new Transport Aircraft. ICAS Conference 2006, Hamburg, September 2006.

  • F. Holzapfel, O. DaCosta, M. Heller, G. Sachs:

    Development of a Lateral-Directional Flight Control System for a new Transport Aircraft. AIAA Guidance, Navigation & Control Conference 2006, Keystone Co., August 2006.

  • F. Holzapfel, O. DaCosta, M. Heller, G. Sachs:

    Development of a Longitudinal Flight Control System for a new Transport Aircraft. AIAA Guidance, Navigation & Control Conference 2006, Keystone Co., August 2006.

  • M. Heller, O. Brieger und D. Ossmann:

    Höhere Flugeigenschaftsanalyse und Pio-Prävention im Rahmen der Entwicklung moderner Hochleistungsflugzeuge. DGLR Jahrestagung 2006. Braunschweig, 6. – 9.November 2006.

  • M. Herrnberger, M. Heller, R. Leitner und G. Sachs:

    Fortschrittliche Unsicherheitsmodellierung und Robustheitsanalyse für den Basisregler eines modernen Trainers. DGLR Jahrestagung 2006. Braunschweig, 6. – 9.November 2006.

  • H. Pfifer, R. Paul und M. Heller:

    Entwicklung und Validierung eines fortschrittlichen flugdynamischen Simulationsmodells für ein modernes Hochleistungsflugzeug. DGLR Jahrestagung 2006. Braunschweig, 6. – 9.November 2006.

  • M. Herrnberger, M. Heller, R. Paul und S. Hecker:

    Advanced Uncertainty Modeling and Robustness Analysis for the Basic Flight Control System of a Modern Jet Trainer. AIAA Guidance, Navigation & Control Conference 2007, Hilton Head SC, August 2007.

  • M. Heller, O. Brieger, D. Ossmann:

    Adaptation and Modification of the nonlinear Olop-Pio-Criterion on modern FLight Control Stategies. AIAA Guidance, Navigation & Control Conference, August 2008 (Hawaii).

  • M. Heller, O. Brieger, D. Ossmann:

    Identifizierung eines Pilotenmodells anhand von Flugversuchsdaten für Flugeigenschaftsbewertungen. DGLR Jahrestagung sowie CEAS Conference 2008.

  • M. Heller, H.-J. Steiner, J. Colloseus, J. Seifert:

    Multidisziplinärer Entwurf und flugdynamische Modellierung eines Tandem Tilt-Wing Demonstrators. DGLR Jahrestagung 2009.

  • F. Holzapfel, M. Heller, M. Weingartner, G. Sachs and O. da Costa:

    Development of Control Laws for the Simulation of a New Transport Aircraft. Journal of Aerospace Engineering 309, Proc. IMechE Vol. 223 Part G, 10.1243/09544100JAERO309, März 2009.

  • M. Heller, F. Schuck, L. Peter and F. Holzapfel:

    Hybrid Control System for a Future Small Aircraft. AIAA Guidance, Navigation & Control Conference, August 2011 (Portland, Oregon).

  • K. Lesch and M. Heller:

    Operationelle Flugmechanische und Flugleistungsbezogene Integration von Außenlastenmit Bestimmung des Zusatzwiderstandes aus Flugtestergebnissen. DGLR Jahrestagung 2011, September 2011, Bremen.

  • M. Heller, F. Schuck, L. Peter and F. Holzapfel:

    Hybrides Flugsteuerungssystem für zukünftige Kleinflugzeuge (Future Small Aircraft). DGLR Jahrestagung 2012, September 2012, Berlin.

  • M. Geiser and M. Heller:

    Modelling, Flight Dynamics Analysis and Basic Stabilization Study in Early Design Stages of the SAGITTA Demonstrator UAV. DGLR Jahrestagung 2012, September 2012, Berlin.

  • M. Heller, Th. Baier and F. Schuck:

    Lateral Fly-By-Wire Control System Dedicated to Future Small Aircraft. In: Advances in Aerospace Guidance, Navigation and Control. Selected Papers from the Second CEAS Specialist Conference on Guidance, Navigation & Control Conference. Springer-Verlag Heidelberg New York Dordrecht London, pp. 353 – 372, 2013.

  • S. Braun, M. Geiser, M. Heller, and F. Holzapfel:

    Configuration Assessment and Preliminary Control Law Design for a Novel Diamond-Shaped UAV. In: IEEE Intl. Conference on UAS, 2014, pp. 1009-1020.

  • Th. Baier and M. Heller:

    Robust Lateral Control of Future Small Aircraft. In: Proceedings of the 3rd CEAS EuroGNC Conference (Third CEAS Specialist Conference on Guidance, Navigation and Control), April 12, 2015, Toulouse, France.

  • M. Vrdoljak, F. Viertler, M. Hajek, and M. Heller:

    Helicopter Pilot Model for Pitch Attitude Tracking Task. In: CEAS Euro GNC 2017 - 4th CEAS Specialist Conference on Guidance, Navigation & Control, 25 - 27 April 2017, Warsaw, Poland.

  • D. Seiferth and M. Heller:

    Testing and Performance Enhancement of a model-based designed Ground Controller for a diamond-shaped Umanned Air Vehicle (UAV) IEEE Conference on Control Technology and Applications (CCTA), IEEE International, 2017. DOI: 10.23919/ACC.2017.7963284

  • D. Seiferth, R. Kuchar and M. Heller:

    Model-based Design and Real Live On-Runway Testing of a Ground Controller for a novel diamond-shaped Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV). 56th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (CDC), Melbourne, Australia, 2017. 978-1-5090-2872-6/17.

Textbook, Lecture Notes and Training Publications

  • E. Ficker and M. Heller:

    Einführung in die Technische Mechanik, Band 1 – 3, speziell: Teil 3: Dynamik. Lehrbuch in drei Bänden, Herbert Utz Verlag Wissenschaft, München 1996. ISBN 3-896775-913-2

  • M. Heller:

    Untersuchung zur Steuerung und Robusten Regelung der Seitenbewegung von Hyperschallflugzeugen. Dissertation. Herbert Utz Verlag Wissenschaft, München 1999. ISBN 3-89675-647-8.

  • A. Karithonov, A. Henze, M. Heller (et al.):

    Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Supersonic Flow over the ELAC Configuration. Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG). Abschluß- & Ergebnisbuch der Hyperschall-Sonderforschungsbereiche, Kapitel 4.2. Springer Verlag, München/Aachen 2004.

  • M. Heller:

    Polgebietsvorgabe und Eigenstrukturvorgabe. Autor der Kapitel 12.3.3 und 12.3.4 der komplett überarbeiteten und erweiterten 3. Auflage des Buches: Flugregelung von R. Brockhaus mit W. Alles und R. Luckner. Springer Verlag, Berlin/München 2011. ISBN 978-3-642-01442-0

  • Th. Baier and M. Heller:

    Robust Lateral Control of Future Small Aircraft. In: Advances in Aerospace Guidance, Navigation and Control - Selected Papers of the Third CEAS Specialist Conference on Guidance, Navigation and Control Held in Toulouse, France, in April 2015, Chapter: Robust Lateral Control of Future Small Aircraft, pp.3-22. Publisher: Springer, Editors: Joël Bordeneuve-Guibé, Antoine Drouin, Clément Roos, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-17518-8

  • M. Vrdoljak, F. Viertler, M. Hajek, and M. Heller:

    Helicopter Pilot Model for Pitch Attitude Tracking Task. Book Chapter, January 2018. In: Advances in Aerospace Guidance, Navigation and Control, pp.225-239. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-65283-2_12.

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