This webinar introduces AVL Copper Bird as a system level Power /PHIL test approach for electric and hybrid electric aircraft.
We explain how Copper Bird enables ground testing at near flight conditions, using real electrical power up to MW level, while avoiding the complexity and risk of mechanical components such as real motors or batteries.
The focus is on testing the pure electric system domain (control units, software, power distribution, cable harness, grounding) by combining simulation, emulation and real hardware in one closed loop test environment.
Key learning points:
- Why system level testing is fundamentally different from component testing.
- Why testing without real electrical power is not sufficient.
- How to separate real vs. emulated components in a Copper Bird setup.
- How Power HIL / PHIL exposes EMC, impedance, resonance and fault interaction effects. How fault insertion can be performed safely and repeatably.
- How Copper Bird fits into a SIL → CIL → PHIL validation chain.
- How modular, reconfigurable testbeds improve test efficiency and front loading
Attendees will learn:
- Power Electronics testing with Power-HiL
- Mixed-twin enables high test coverage
- Precise Emulation is key for mixed-twin testing
- The need for the real cable harness
- Power Circulation
- Component and system level testing
When
Wednesday, April 29, 2026 · 4:00 p.m. London (GMT +1:00)
Presenters
Dr. Martin Schmidt
System Line Manager, AVL
Martin studied electronics and control engineering in Darmstadt and Toulouse and earned his PhD in control engineering from the Technical University of Darmstadt in 2002. He began his career at Siemens Automotive as a project leader for electric propulsion systems before joining AVL. There, he headed product management for control and simulation and later led system line management for inverter testing. Today, as system line manager for Copper Car and Copper Bird, he drives advanced testing solutions for next generation aviation propulsion systems.
Sascha Heinecke
Vice President Industry Solutions, AVL
Sascha Heinecke holds a Diplom Ingenieur in Energy Systems and Automation from Technische Hochschule Lübeck. With a strong engineering foundation and extensive international leadership experience, he has driven complex energy, automation, and test system programs across global industries, many of which directly support advanced propulsion, high reliability power systems, and mission critical infrastructure relevant to aviation. Today, as VP Industry Solutions at AVL, he contributes to the evolution of next generation test environments and power technologies essential for future aerospace applications.
Ben Sampson
Editor, Aerospace Testing International
