Visual/motion cue mismatch during a coordinated roll maneuver

Abstract

The effect of a performance mismatch between the simulator visual and motion display systems on pilot performance while engaged in a compensatory tracking task, and the effect of a reduction in simulator motion scaling while maintaining constant visual scaling on pilot performance for this same task were investigated. A jet transport aircraft with motion in the roll and lateral simulator axes was used as a test vehicle for a computer simulation. The aircraft was disturbed by moderate levels of turbulence which resulted in flight path deviations in the roll and lateral axes. The task of the pilot was to maintain flight formation behind the aircraft in front of him as displayed by a video monitor located in the simulator cockpit. Experimental data consisting of pilot describing functions and pilot performance scores are presented and discussed as they relate to experimental evidence.