Matthias Heller

Matthias Heller is a Professor at Technische Universität München (TUM) and holds the title of Honorary Professor for Highly Augmented Aircraft Systems. He is affiliated with the Department of Flight Mechanics & Performance and has been a Rudolf Diesel Industry Fellow at TUM-IAS since 2010. His research focuses on flight dynamics, robust control systems, and handling qualities analysis for advanced aircraft configurations. Heller has extensive industry experience with Airbus Defence & Space, where he contributed to flight control system development and stability analysis of hypersonic vehicles.

Education:

• 1987–1992: Aerospace Engineering, TUM (Diplom Ingenieur)
• 1999: Dr.-Ing. (summa cum laude) from TUM, Dissertation: “Analysis and Robust Control of the Lateral Dynamics of Hypersonic Vehicles”

Research Interests:

• Flight dynamics modeling & simulation
• Robust flight control system design
• Pilot-in-the-loop oscillation (PIO) prevention
• Handling qualities assessment for autonomous systems
• Stability analysis of innovative aircraft configurations

Key Achievements:

• Willy Messerschmitt Prize (2001) for contributions to flight dynamics research
• Founder of the Focus Group “Aircraft Stability and Control” at TUM-IAS
• Leading work on UAV control systems and hybrid flight control architectures

Labs & Collaborations: Active in the Safe Adaptive Dependable Aerospace Systems (SADAS) Focus Group, focusing on dynamics and control of autonomous flight systems. Previously led the Aircraft Stability and Control group.