Methods and systems for analyzing and predicting aeroelastic flutter on configurable aircraft

A method for analyzing and predicting aeroelastic flutter on aircraft, said method comprising:

• a) flying a known aircraft type above ground, wherein said aircraft has a payload in a known configuration;
• b) acquiring data from at least one sensor on said aircraft while flying above ground;
• c) repeating steps a) and b) with a different payload configuration;
• d) providing a computer having a machine learning predictive model loaded thereon and training said machine learning predictive model for said aircraft type for aeroelastic flutter using only acquired sensor data;
• e) wherein the machine learning predictive model is configured to predict when aeroelastic flutter will occur on said aircraft type when said aircraft has a payload in a new configuration for which data from sensors was not previously collected with the aircraft in flight;
• f) providing an aircraft of said known aircraft type with a processing unit with the predictive model loaded thereon, wherein said processing unit is in said aircraft and said processing unit is in communication with at least one sensor on said aircraft and said processing unit is configured to receive data from said at least one sensor on the aircraft, wherein said aircraft comprises a warning mechanism in communication with said processing unit that provides a pilot in real time with an indication of an impending flutter condition.