EFFECTS OF VARIATIONS IN SYSTEM DATA RATES AND MEASUREMENT ACCURACIES ON PILOT PERFORMANCE IN THE HELICOPTER IFR FORMATION FLIGHT MODE.
Abstract
Since system data rate and accuracy requirements depend on the system's raw data filtering model and its display quickening sensitivity, these two additional parameters and their interactions with the data rate and accuracy parameters were also investigated. Systematic man-in-the-loop simulations were conducted to select ranges of individual parameter variation and to examine relationships between the parameters within the ranges selected. Pilot performance was evaluated for the various combinations of four data update rates, four levels of data accuracy, and three levels of display quickening sensitivity. One specific filtering model was found to be appropriate for the ranges of the other parameters selected during the preliminary phase of the study and was used throughout the formal parameter interaction experiment. Performance measures recorded during the simulations included indices of proficiency in maintaining an assigned formation position, indices of control-input/aircraft-response activity, frequency of collisions with other formation aircraft, and frequency of other control losses. Results showed: (1) that pilot performance degrades approximately linearly with the decrease in data accuracy; (2) that a data rate as low as 4 updates/second yields adequate performance in the helicopter formation flight mode simulated for the study, with no improvement in performance resulting from higher rates; (3) that the optimal quickening model and the data filtering model for a specific helicopter formation flight system is a function of that system's data rate and accuracy. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0688200
Entities
People
- Myrna L. Toivanen
- Paul A. Anderson
Organizations
- Honeywell International, Inc.