AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF INSTRUMENT APPROACHES WITH STEEP GRADIENT AIRCRAFT
Abstract
A series of flight tests of an exploratory nature was conducted to determine the influence of certain parameters and quickened cross-pointer presentations on instrument approaches with steep gradient aircraft. Approximately 50 hooded instrument approaches were flown using a singlerotor helicopter piloted by a highly experienced NASA test pilot. Standard flight instruments were used and the tracking presentation for the pilot consisted of an ILS type cross-pointer indicator. Parallel beam patterns as well as the standard angular, wedge-shaped ILS beam patterns were simulated by a tracking theodolite system coupled to the aircraft cross-pointer by a radio link. Numerous beam widths, glide slope inclination angles, and quickening inputs were investigated. The maximum glide slope inclination angles studied were in the 8 to 11 degree range because of operational limitations of the aircraft and task (30 knots minimum airspeed and 500 feet per minute maximum rate of descent). Parallel beam patterns (constant sensitivity) were preferred over the standard angular wedge-shaped beam patterns (sensitivity varying with range from transmitter). No significant improvements were obtained with the quickened presentation in preference to the pure displacement presentation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0429113
Entities
People
- E. Seckel
- G. E. Miller
- J. J. Traybar
Organizations
- Princeton University