An Investigation into the Use of Side-Arm Control for Civil Rotorcraft Applications

Abstract

The advent of fly-by-wire technology and its adaptability to integrated multi-axis side-arm control will have far-reaching effects on the design and operational utility of rotorcraft. Some effects, such as those on the handling qualities, in terms of pilot workload and performance, can only be defined by acquiring in-flight data. An evaluation of the handling qualities of civil rotorcraft incorporating force or displacement sensing side-arm controllers with varying levels of control integration was carried out on the IAR Bell 205 Airborne Simulator. Evaluators were certification pilots from the FAA and Transport Canada. The results indicate that integrated 4-axis side-arm control is a viable option for civil rotorcraft operations, even when used in conjunction with very low levels of stability and control augmentation.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1990
Accession Number
ADA226628

Entities

People

  • S. Kereliuk
  • S. W. Baillie

Organizations

  • National Research Council Canada

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Actuators
  • Airborne
  • Aircrafts
  • Autorotation
  • Clearances
  • Control Systems
  • Deficiencies
  • Helicopters
  • Maneuvers
  • Military Operations
  • Precision
  • Questionnaires
  • Rotary Wing Aircraft
  • Simulators
  • Standards
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Workload

Readers

  • Aviation Science / Aeronautics.
  • Robotics and Automation.