Evaluation of a Visual System in Its Support of Simulated Helicopter Flight.

Abstract

The Visual System Component Development Program (VSCDP) was developed by GE under contract with PM TRADE and installed at Williams AFB in spring 1985. Its purpose was to expand the state-of-the-art in visual systems by providing the capability to support nap-of-the-earth (NOE) flight simulation, which requires a high density of visual cues to allow pilots to accurately judge vertical and horizontal distances. The GE system was tested with the computer generated imagery projected in the dome with a radius of 12 feet. The Field of View (FOV) was 140 degrees horizontal by 60 degrees vertical with an enhanced Area of Interest (AOI) of 26 degrees horizontal by 20 degrees vertical inserted in the middle. The imagery centered in pilot's attention regardless of where he was looking in the dome; however, the eye tracker was not functioning for these tests. Nine experienced helicopter pilots participated as subjects. Two kinds of flight mission plans were used: a familiarization flight and a tactical maneuvers flight. The results of the experiment showed that the GE system can support all aspects of helicopter flight simulation. However, problems were found that indicate further work is needed. These included trouble with perceived sizes and distances in the visual scene, and a high incidence of simulator sickness, probably due to processing of motion cues.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1986
Accession Number
ADA168829

Entities

People

  • William D. Spears
  • Winon E. Corley

Organizations

  • Leidos

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Attack Helicopters
  • Computers
  • Control Systems
  • Engineering
  • Flight Simulators
  • Flight Training
  • Geometry
  • Helicopters
  • Human-Machine Interaction
  • Mathematical Analysis
  • Medical Personnel
  • Motion Sickness
  • Psychology
  • Reliability
  • Three Dimensional
  • Two Dimensional

Readers

  • Aviation Science / Aeronautics.
  • Vision Science/Vision Psychology/Cognitive Neuroscience.