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Rotorcraft simulation fidelity: new methods for quantification and assessment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 January 2016

P. Perfect ,
M. D. White ,
G. D. Padfield  and
A. W. Gubbels
P. Perfect*
Affiliation:
Centre for Engineering Dynamics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
M. D. White
Affiliation:
Centre for Engineering Dynamics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
G. D. Padfield
Affiliation:
Centre for Engineering Dynamics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
A. W. Gubbels
Affiliation:
Flight Research Laboratory, NRC, Canada
*
p.perfect@liverpool.ac.uk
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Abstract

Flight simulators are integral to the design/development, testing/qualification, training and research communities and their utilisation is ever expanding. The use of flight simulation to provide a safe environment for pilot training, and in research and development, must be underpinned by quantification of simulator fidelity. While regulatory simulator standards exist for flight training simulators and new standards are in development, previous research has shown that current standards do not provide a fully quantitative approach for assessing simulation fidelity, especially in a research environment. This paper reports on progress made in a research project at the University of Liverpool (Lifting Standards), in which new predicted and perceptual measures of simulator fidelity have been developed. The new metrics have been derived from handling qualities engineering practice. Results from flight tests on the National Research Council (Canada) Bell 412 ASRA research aircraft and piloted simulation trials using the HELIFLIGHT-R simulator at Liverpool are presented to show the efficacy of adopting a handling qualities approach for fidelity assessment. Analysis of the new metrics has shown an appropriate degree of sensitivity to differences between flight and simulation.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 117 , Issue 1189 , March 2013 , pp. 235 - 282
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2013 

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