The Influence of Simulator Motion on Handling Qualities

Abstract

Ground-based flight simulation is a vital tool in the assessment of handling qualities. The strengths and weaknesses of ground-based flight simulators are well documented and understood, but the effects of individual simulator characteristics on handling qualities are not. This study compared the effect of three simulator motion states on handling qualities during a lateral tracking task using airplane models differing in lateral (roll) dynamics. Pilots' perception of the simulated aircraft's handling qualities were recorded in terms of Cooper–Harper ratings and subjective comments. The experiment was conducted on the motion simulator at the University of Toronto. Three highly qualified experimental test pilots with test pilot school backgrounds participated in the evaluation trials. The independent experiment variables were; lateral aircraft dynamics (roll mode time constant) and simulator motion states. The evaluation task consisted of tracking under roll gust upsets. Three values of the roll-mode time constant were tested under three different simulator motion states. These motion states were (a) fixed-base, (b) "very low" motion washout levels, and (c) "very high" washout levels. These states represented the extremes in useable simulator washout filter coefficients in the Flight Research Simulator (FRS). The results indicated that very low motion washout levels were preferred by pilots to fixed-base, while fixed-base was preferred to very high levels of motion washout.Some insight into pilot control strategies as a result of changes in motion state was also gained. The results suggested that pilot control strategy is driven by changes in motion state, for the same set of aircraft dynamics.