Powered-Lift Aircraft Handling Qualities in the Presence of Naturally-Occurring and Computer-Generated Atmospheric Disturbances.
Abstract
The results of a two-phased program to investigate powered-lift aircraft handling quality degradation due to both naturally-occurring and computer-generated atmospheric turbulence are presented and discussed. In Phase I an airborne simulator was used to simulate a powered-lift aircraft on final approach. The atmospheric conditions included calm air, moderate to heavy turbulence, and frontal-type wind shears. In Phase II a ground-based simulator with a moving cockpit and a colored visual display was used to represent the same powered-lift aircraft. During Phase II, the Dryden model of atmospheric turbulence was used as well as the naturally-occurring wind profiles recorded during Phase I. Analysis of the data showed that the handling quality assessments obtained in the airborne and ground-based simulators were similar, but wind shear was responsible for more of the differences than turbulence. The comparison of the handling quality assessments and selected measures of combined pilot-vehicle performance obtained with the naturally-occurring and computer-generated turbulences demonstrate that the Dryden model can yield optimistic ratings of airplane handling qualities and an optimistic estimate of combined pilot-vehicle performance degradation in turbulent landing conditions. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA072118
Entities
People
- S. R. M. Sinclair
- Thomas C. West
- Warren F. Clement
- Wayne F. Jewell