Glideslope Descent-Rate Cuing to Aid Carrier Landings
Abstract
Two techniques for providing descent rate information to pilots making carrier landings were evaluated and shown to be effective in a flight simulator. Landing performance of experienced Naval aviators was tested in the Visual Technology Research Simulator, with a conventional Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System (FLOLS) and with a simple modification to the FLOLS to include variable length vertical light arrays, or arrows. The FLOLS, which is used for glideslope guidance during carrier approaches, provides zero-order or displacement information for the pilot to judge whether he is above or below the glideslope. Aircraft system dynamics can create substantial lags between an incorrect control input and the resulting error indication from the FLOLS. The techniques that were evaluated compensated for that lag by providing first-order or rate information to the pilot. The two techniques involved different first- order drive algorithms. One system, designated the RATE display, showed the difference between the aircraft's actual descent rate and the descent rate that would maintain its present glideslope angle with respect to the FLOLS. The other, designated the COMMAND display, showed the magnitude of descent rate correction needed, and indicated a no-error condition when the pilot was tracking the glideslope or returning to it at an appropriate rate of closure.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA092193
Entities
People
- Charles E. Kaul
- Gavan Lintern
- Stanley C. Collyer