Engineering topics

Knox, Charles E.

Publications and source records attributed to Knox, Charles E..

10 records

NASA NTRS1994

Modeling of Instrument Landing System (ILS) localizer signal on runway 25L at Los Angeles International Airport

A joint NASA/FAA flight test has been made to record instrument landing system (ILS) localizer receiver signals for use in mathematically modeling the ILS localizer for future simulation studies and airplane flight tracking tasks. The flight test was conducted on a portion of the ILS localizer installed on runway 25L at the Los Angeles International Airport. The tests covered the range from 10 to 32 n.mi. from the localizer antenna. Precision radar tracking information was compared with the recorded localizer deviation data. Data analysis showed that the ILS signal centerline was offset to the left of runway centerline by 0.071 degrees and that no significant bends existed on the localizer beam. Suggested simulation models for the ILS localizer are formed from a statistical analysis.

Hueschen, Richard M.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Manual flying of curved precision approaches to landing with electromechanical instrumentation. A piloted simulation study

A piloted simulation study was conducted to examine the requirements for using electromechanical flight instrumentation to provide situation information and flight guidance for manually controlled flight along curved precision approach paths to a landing. Six pilots were used as test subjects. The data from these tests indicated that flight director guidance is required for the manually controlled flight of a jet transport airplane on curved approach paths. Acceptable path tracking performance was attained with each of the three situation information algorithms tested. Approach paths with both multiple sequential turns and short final path segments were evaluated. Pilot comments indicated that all the approach paths tested could be used in normal airline operations.

Knox, Charles E.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Flight tests with a data link used for air traffic control information exchange

Previous studies showed that air traffic control (ATC) message exchange with a data link offers the potential benefits of increased airspace system safety and efficiency. To accomplish these benefits, data link can be used to reduce communication errors and relieve overloaded ATC voice radio frequencies, which hamper efficient message exchange during peak traffic periods. Flight tests with commercial airline pilots as test subjects were conducted in the NASA Transport Systems Research Vehicle Boeing 737 airplane to contrast flight operations that used current voice communications with flight operations that used data link to transmit both strategic and tactical ATC clearances during a typical commercial airflight from takeoff to landing. The results of these tests that used data link as the primary communication source with ATC showed flight crew acceptance, a perceived reduction in crew work load, and a reduction in crew communication errors.

Knox, Charles E.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Flight tests show potential benefits of data link as primary communication medium

Message exchange for air traffic control (ATC) purposes via data link offers the potential benefits of increasing the airspace system safety and efficiency. This is accomplished by reducing communication errors and relieving the overloaded ATC radio frequencies, which hamper efficient message exchanges during peak traffic periods in many busy terminal areas. However, the many uses and advantages of data link create additional questions concerning the interface among the human-users and the cockpit and ground systems. A flight test was conducted in the NASA Langley B-737 airplane to contrast flight operations using current voice communications with the use of data link for transmitting both strategic and tactical ATC clearances during a typical commercial airline flight from takeoff to landing. Commercial airplane pilots were used as test subjects.

Scanlon, Charles H.↗

NASA NTRS1990

A flight test facility design for examining digital information transfer

Information is given in viewgraph form on a flight test facility design for examining digital information transfer. Information is given on aircraft/ground exchange, data link research activities, data link display format, a data link flight test, and the flight test setup.

Knox, Charles E.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Flight tests using data link for air traffic control and weather information exchange

Knox, Charles E.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Description of the primary flight display and flight guidance system logic in the NASA B-737 transport systems research vehicle

A primary flight display format was integrated with the flight guidance and control system logic in support of various flight tests conducted with the NASA Transport Systems Research Vehicle B-737-100 airplane. The functional operation of the flight guidance mode control panel and the corresponding primary flight display formats are presented.

Knox, Charles E.↗

NASA NTRS1990

NASA transport systems research vehicle B-737 data link system and display formats

A data link system was designed to support flight tests in the NASA Transport Systems Research Vehicle B-737 airplane. The purpose of the flight tests was to evaluate pilot acceptance of using data link as the primary source of communications for strategic and tactical air traffic control clearances, weather information, and company messages. The airborne functional operations of the data link system flight tested in 1990 are described.

Knox, Charles E.↗

NASA NTRS1990

The 4-D descent trajectory generation techniques under realistic operating conditions

NASA-Langley has been conducting and sponsoring research in airborne energy management for a number of years. During the course of this research, two fundamental techniques for the generation of 4D (fixed time) descent trajectories have emerged as viable candidates for advanced flight management systems. The first technique utilizes speed schedules of constant Mach number transitioning to constant calibrated airspeed chosen empirically to produce minimum fuel usage. The second technique computes cost optimized speed schedules of variable airspeed developed through application of optimal control theory. Both techniques have been found to produce reasonable and flyable descent trajectories. The formulation of the algorithms for each technique is evaluated and their suitability for operations in realistic conditions is discussed. Operational factors considered include: airplace speed, thrust, and altitude rate constaints; wind, temperature, and pressure variations; Air Traffic Control altitude, speed, and time constaints; and pilot interface and guidance considerations. Time flexibility, fuel usage, and airborne computational requirements were the primary performance measures.

Williams, David H.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Flying complex approach paths using the microwave landing system

A piloted simulation study was conducted to examine the requirements for using electromechanical flight instrumentation to provide guidance for manually controlled flight along complex, curved approach paths within the microwave landing system signal coverage. The data from these tests indicated that flight director guidance is required for the manually controlled flight of a jet transport airplane on complex, curved approach paths. Each of the three guidance algorithms tested could be used to fly the paths. However, pilot comments indicated that the use of guidance based on capturing the next straight path segment may not be acceptable since full-scale lateral deflections normally resulted during turns. Pilot comments indicated that all the approach paths tested could be used in normal airline operations. Approach paths with both multiple, sequential turns and short final path segments were demonstrated.

Knox, Charles E.↗