Investigations on boundary avoidance tracking and pilot inceptor workload

Abstract

Handling qualities research largely depends on the understanding of the pilot’s behaviour in the control loop. Conventional pilot models are based on the idea that the pilot tries to achieve target conditions, e.g. a specific attitude. In 2004, Gray introduced the so-called boundary avoidance tracking theory which considers the pilot as someone who tracks away from threatening conditions (boundaries) when they become dominant. In the frame of a preliminary simulator study with five test subjects, the flight test technique which is associated with boundary avoidance tracking was performed and the concept was investigated in detail. Especially, the presumption was considered that this new technique can raise the pilot gains in a buildup fashion and can, therefore, be more effective than conventional techniques. Gray’s pilot inceptor workload criterion, a new pilot gain measure, was enhanced and used to explain these specific effects.