An Experimental Study of Pilot/Vehicle Dynamics Using a Tilt Rotor Flying Machine

Abstract

A laboratory Tilt Rotor Flying Machine (TROFM) is designed and built for the purpose of conducting an experimental study of the effects of command systems on human pilot behavior. The aircraft is mounted on a two-axis pivot stand which gives the fuselage 2 degrees of freedom; pitch and yaw. Analytical models are derived using Lagrangian and Newtonian techniques. Identification of the aircraft characteristics is based on a nonparametric Discrete Fourier Transform technique and a maximum likelihood parameter estimation scheme. Attitude command, rate command and unaugmented systems are designed and implemented in real time using a digital computer. An investigation of the effects of command systems, displays and tasks on human pilot behavior is conducted. Pilot and pilot-vehicle describing functions are obtained from time histories of dynamic tracking tasks where the pilot attempts to track a random appearing input. Correlations between Cooper-Harper ratings and quantitative descriptions of pilot behavior are made. The experimental results compare favorably to the classical theory of man-machine system dynamics which is based on the cross-over model. The results of this study indicate that desirable controlled elements in man-machine systems have the characteristics of a simple tracker. Pilot Models, Manual Control, Vehicle Dynamics, Human Pilot Dynamics, Handling Qualities, Pilot Dynamics, System Identification.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1993
Accession Number
ADA277516

Entities

People

  • David B. Doman

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Computational Science
  • Computers
  • Control Systems
  • Differential Equations
  • Digital Computers
  • Discrete Fourier Transforms
  • Dynamics
  • Human Factors Engineering
  • Human-Machine Systems
  • Measurement
  • Open Loop Systems
  • Plastic Explosives
  • Tilt Rotor Aircraft
  • Transducers
  • Vehicles

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Aviation Science / Aeronautics.
  • Control Systems Engineering.