N102-138 TITLE: Low Cost G-cues for Pilot Training Device

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Ground/Sea Vehicles, Human Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Joint Strike Fighter, ACAT I

OBJECTIVE: Develop a low cost means to provide onset acceleration cues to a seated pilot as part of real time immersive training in a flight simulator.

DESCRIPTION: The accuracy and reliability of our orientation sensory systems can be distorted when exposed to the unique gravity and inertial cues encountered during varied phases of flight. Because vestibular and proprioceptive senses can no longer be relied on, pilots must be trained to depend entirely upon their visual cues. Current flight trainers lack a full capability of inducing the range of onset inertial cues experienced during flight. The rudimentary motion cues available in today's trainers do improve pilot performance and control behavior in the simulator, particularly for disturbance tasks (such as turbulence) and in aircraft with low dynamic stability (such as helicopters and fighter aircraft). However, further development of such capabilities is needed for our future, more maneuverable (e.g., short take-off and vertical landing) aircraft.

Any safety issues resulting from the proposed design will need to be addressed. Placement of hardware so as not to interfere with existing simulator operation is an important consideration. Cost effectiveness including reliability and maintainability of design approach is an important factor.

PHASE I: Conceptualize and design an innovative solution. Demonstrate the feasibility of the concept and propose how to integrate it into an existing flight simulator, and/or added to a desktop training system.

PHASE II: Develop and implement preliminary design as a prototype. Validate the design through demonstration of the ability to provide limited yet effective onset motion cues when implemented in a flight simulator.

PHASE III: Finalize the product and integrate as a subsystem into new and/or retrofitted flight simulator.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: An improved motion cue for training simulation is needed for both military and commercial flight trainers.

REFERENCES:
1. Cheung, B., Hofer, K., Heskin, R., & Smith, A. (2004) Physiological and Behavioural Responses to False Sensation of Pitch. Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine; 75:657-665.

2. Burki-Cohen, J. & Sparko, L. (2007). Training Value of a Fixed-Base Flight Simulator with a Dynamic Seat. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Modeling and Simulation Technologies Conference and Exhibit. Hilton Head, SC

KEYWORDS: training; motion cue; simulation; flight; pilot; real time

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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