The Human Pilot and the High-Speed Airplane

Abstract

A s AIRCRAFT ATTAIN higher and higher speeds, the •*• ** ability of the human pilot to maintain control becomes marginal in some cases. Recognizing tha t pilot-induced oscillations of large magnitude have been experienced in high-speed low-altitude flight, it is necessary to predict accurately whether the pilot will be able to achieve stable flight with a particular aircraft. Consequently, analytical expressions, which interpret the dynamic characteristics of a human pilot, are needed for stability analysis. Investigations of pilot response which provide data on such physiological factors as reaction t ime and muscular lag have been supported by both the United States Air Force and Navy Bureau of Aeronautics. Under specific test conditions experimental da ta establishing human transfer functions have been obtained. Some of these investigations have taken place at the Franklin Inst i tute, Goodyear Aircraft, and Langley Field, and their findings are included in reference 2. The purpose of the present s tudy is to investigate human dynamics as it affects the airplane in pitch, and to present a means of predicting the pilot transfer function during pitching flight. In detailing the longitudinal stability of a human pilot-aircraft combination, the type of control the pilot a t tempts to apply has been rationalized, and the physiological factors of reaction time and muscular lag have been included.