Active Flow Control (AFC) systems for separation control have been proposed for use in future civil transport aircraft. Before this can occur, it is necessary to consider the impact of such systems on the design and process of certification. This paper aims to improve the level of understanding of these processes by discussing the technology and the likely challenges it causes. Flow control in the context of this work is limited to those technologies that seek to improve the off-design performance of the aircraft typically by controlling separation to improve CLmax-^sThese differ from Laminar flow control (LFC) systems which seek to provide turbulent drag reduction and hence improvement in lift-to-drag ratio. The differing failure cases that result mean that different mitigation factors in terms of reliability and redundancy must be considered for AFC. Technologies such as ultrasonic flow control actuators and electro-active polymer based orifice seals are likely to prove necessary for production active flow control to become acceptable to the regulatory authorities.
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