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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1977

Pilot evaluation of an advanced hingeless rotor XY-15 simulation

A piloted simulation of an advanced hingeless rotor XV-15 tilt-rotor aircraft was carried out. The evaluation was made by a pilot from NASA-Ames who had previous experience flying a simulation of the current gimballed rotor NASA/Army XV-15. It was pointed out that some modifications to the force feel system were needed in order to provide rapid force trimming during rapid maneuvers. Some additional tailoring of the SCAS system was required to achieve good nap-of-the-earth performance. Overall pilot opinion on the hingeless rotor XV-15 tilt rotor was favorable. Brief discussion on the mathematical models and the simulator configuration are presented. The maneuvers and pilot comments are given along with some engineering comments.

Mcveigh, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

A pilot's assessment of helicopter handling-quality factors common to both agility and instrument flying tasks

A series of simulation and flight investigations were undertaken to evaluate helicopter flying qualities and the effects of control system augmentation for nap-of-the-Earth (NOE) agility and instrument flying tasks. Handling quality factors common to both tasks were identified. Precise attitude control was determined to be a key requirement for successful accomplishment of both tasks. Factors that degraded attitude controllability were improper levels of control sensitivity and damping, and rotor system cross coupling due to helicopter angular rate and collective pitch input. Application of rate command, attitude command, and control input decouple augmentation schemes enhanced attitude control and significantly improved handling qualities for both tasks. The NOE agility and instrument flying handling quality considerations, pilot rating philosophy, and supplemental flight evaluations are also discussed.

Gerdes, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Fragmentation in rotating isothermal protostellar clouds

The paper reports results of an extensive set of three-dimensional hydrodynamic calculations performed to investigate the susceptibility of rotating clouds to gravitational fragmentation; only isothermal collapse sequences were considered. It is found that rotating isothermal gas clouds are unstable to fragmentation under a wide range of conditions. The degree of instability and the mode (ring vs. blob) of fragmentation is sensitive to alpha, but insensitive to beta. The initial amplitude of a perturbation does not appear to be crucial; fragmentation should occur eventually even for low-amplitude initial NAPs.

Bodenheimer, P.↗
NASA NTRS1980

A pilot's assessment of helicopter handling-quality factors common to both agility and instrument flying tasks

Results from a series of simulation and flight investigations undertaken to evaluate helicopter flying qualities and the effects of control system augmentation for nap-of-the-earth (NOE) agility and instrument flying tasks were analyzed to assess handling-quality factors common to both tasks. Precise attitude control was determined to be a key requirement for successful accomplishment of both tasks. Factors that degraded attitude controllability were improper levels of control sensitivity and damping and rotor-system cross-coupling due to helicopter angular rate and collective pitch input. Application of rate-command, attitude-command, and control-input decouple augmentation schemes enhanced attitude control and significantly improved handling qualities for both tasks. NOE agility and instrument flying handling-quality considerations, pilot rating philosophy, and supplemental flight evaluations are also discussed.

Gerdes, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A pilot in the loop analysis of helicopter acceleration/deceleration maneuvers

Helicopter flight acceleration/deceleration maneuvers are quantified and put to use in the fields of handling qualities, flight training and evaluation of simulator fidelity. The three specific cases include the normal speed change maneuver, the nap-of-the-Earth dash/quickstop, and the decelerating approach to hover. All of these maneuvers share common generic features in terms of pilot adaptation and mathematical description; yet each differs in terms of the essential feedback loop structure, implications for handling qualities requirements, and simulator fidelity criteria.

Heffley, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The effects of pilot stress factors on handling quality assessments during US/German helicopter agility flight tests

Flight tests were conducted with two helicopters to study and evaluate the effects of helicopter characteristics and pilot and task demands on performance in nap-of-the-Earth flight. Different, low-level slalom courses were set up and were flown by three pilots with different levels of flight experience. A pilot rating questionnaire was used to obtain redundant information and to gain more insight into factors that influence pilot ratings. The flight test setups and procedures are described, and the pilot ratings are summarized and interpreted in close connection with the analyzed test data. Pilot stress is discussed. The influence of demands on the pilot, of the helicopter characteristics, and of other stress factors are outlined with particular emphasis on how these factors affect handling-qualities assessment.

Pausder, H. J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Effects of rotor inertia and rpm control on helicopter handling qualities

The effects of thrust-response characteristics on helicopter handling qualities have until recently remained largely undefined. A multiphase program is being conducted to study, in a generic sense and through ground simulation, the effects of engine and rotor response characteristics, excess power, and vertical damping on specific maneuvers included in nap-of-the-earth (NOE) operations. This paper describes the most recent of these phases: a simulation in which the effects on handling qualities of rotor inertia and rpm changes were considered. Thrust- and height-response characteristics to step-control inputs are included to document the configurations investigated. Results indicate that with a given engine response and unlimited power, large changes in rotor inertia have little effect on handling qualities for certain low-speed tasks and hover tasks. The effects on handling qualities of requiring the pilot to maintain proper rotor rpm limits were also studied. This investigation revealed that large fluctuations in rotor rpm degrade handling qualities; as a result, continued study of the use of methods to automate control of rotor rpm is recommended.

Corliss, L. D.↗
NASA NTRS1983

A simulation investigation of the effects of engine-and thrust-response characteristics on helicopter handling qualities

A multi-phase program is being conducted to study, in a generic sense and through ground simulation, the effects of engine response, rotor inertia, rpm control, excess power, and vertical damping on specific maneuvers included in nap-of-the-Earth (NOE) operations. The helicopter configuration with an rpm-governed gas-turbine engine are considered. Handling-qualities-criteria data are considered in light of aspects peculiar to rotary-wing and NOE operations. The results of three moving-based piloted simulation studies are summarized and the frequency, characteristics of the helicopter thrust response which set it apart from other VTOL types are explained. Power-system response is affected by both the engine-governor response and the level of rotor inertia. However, results indicate that with unlimited power, variations in engine response can have a significant effect on pilot rating, whereas changes in rotor inertia, in general, do not. The results also show that any pilot interaction required to maintain proper control can significantly degrade handling qualities. Data for variations in vertical damping and collective sensitivity are compared with existing handling-qualities specifications, MIL-F-83300 and AGARD 577, and show a need for higher minimums for both damping and sensitivity for the bob-up task. Results for cases of limited power are also shown.

Corless, L. D.↗
NASA NTRS1984

A summary of rotorcraft handling qualities research at NASA Ames Research Center

The objectives of the rotorcraft handling qualities research program at Ames Research Center are twofold: (1) to develop basic handling qualities design criteria to permit cost effective design decisions to be made for helicopters, and (2) to obtain basic handling qualities data for certification of new rotorcraft configurations. The research on the helicopter handling qualities criteria has focused primarily on military nap-of-the-earth (NOE) terrain flying missions, which are flown in day visual meteorological conditions (VMC) and instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), or at night. The Army has recently placed a great deal of emphasis on terrain flying tactics in order to survive and effectively complete the missions in modern and future combat environments. Unfortunately, the existing Military Specification MIL-H 8501A which is a 1961 update of a 1951 document, does not address the handling qualities requirements for terrain flying. The research effort is therefore aimed at filling the void and is being conducted jointly with the Army Aeromechanics Laboratory at Ames. The research on rotorcraft airworthiness standards with respect to flying qualities requirements was conducted to collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Chen, R. T.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The effects of pilot stress factors on handling quality assessments during US/German helicopter agility flight tests

Flight tests were conducted with two helicopters to study and evaluate the effects of helicopter characteristics and pilot and task demands on performance in nap-of-the-earth flight. Different, low-level slalom courses were set up and were flown by three pilots with different levels of flight experience. A pilot rating questionnaire was used to obtain redundant information and to gain more insight into factors that influence pilot ratings. The flight test setups and procedures are described, and the pilot ratings are summarized and interpreted in close connection with the analyzed test data. Pilot stress is discussed. The influence of demands on the pilot, of the helicopter characteristics, and of other stress factors are outlined with particular emphasis on how these factors affect handling-qualities assessment. Previously announced in STAR as N83-13114

Pausder, H.-J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Sleep-wake responses of squirrel monkeys exposed to hyperdynamic environments

This study examines the sleep responses of primates to acute 3 Gz environments. To investigate this question, loosely-restrained squirrel monkeys were exposed to 70 minutes of 3 Gz during the day. The animals' behavioral state was polygraphically monitored (EEG, EMG, EOG) along with video and deep body temperature. During the control period, animals exhibited slow wave sleep (SWS) napping behavior. SWS occurred during approximately 20 percent of the control period. Body temperature was maintained at 38.7 C. At 3 Gz, SWS was inhibited for 5 minutes, after which SWS occurred at levels 50 percent lower than in the control period. During the post-centrifugation period, SWS was elevated above the control (50 percent) and hyperdynamic (100 percent) levels. Body temperature was depressed 1.5 C when the animals were at 3 Gz. Thus, hyperdynamic environments are capable of modifying primate sleep behavior, at least as a result of acute exposure. Further, the increased arousal in the hyperdynamic environment is correlated with a lower body temperature. This negative correlation differs from the normal positive correlation of arousal and body temperature.

Fuller, C. A.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Voice interactive electronic warning system (Views)

The ability of military helicopters to penetrate the Forward Line of Troops (FLOT) has increased in connection with the utilization of low-level 'Nap-of-the-Earth' (NOE) flying procedures. However, the workload of the pilot engaged in the implementation of the required maneuvers is very high. Possibilities for reducing this workload are being investigated. The present study is concerned with the introduction of an integrated warning system in the cockpit. An integrated warning system simulation study is discussed, taking into account aspects of methodology, and results. Three voice types were evaluated, including male digitized, female digitized, and digitized.

Voorhees, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Impact of flying qualities on mission effectiveness for helicopter air combat

Battlefield nap-of-the-earth (NOE) helicopter operations are vital for a use of the helicopter in a high-threat environment. As the pilot's workload in this flight regime is very high, the helicopter's handling qualities become an important factor. The present investigation is concerned with overall mission effectiveness, flying qualities, and their interaction with other parameters. A description is presented of a study which generated a significant amount of date relating the importance of flying qualities to the ability to perform several specific mission tasks. It was found that flying qualities do have a major impact on the ability to perform a specific mission. The impact of flying qualities on Scout helicopter mission effectiveness is mainly related to the probability of being detected. The flying qualities effect most critical to the Scout mission was found to be precision of hover control.

Harris, T. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

A piloted simulator investigation of side-stick controller/stability and control augmentation system requirements for helicopter visual flight tasks

A piloted simulator experiment was conducted to assess the effects of side-stick controller characteristics and level of stability and control augmentation on handling qualities for several low-altitude control tasks. Visual flight tasks were simulated using four-window computer-generated imagery depicting either a nap-of-the-earth course or a runway with obstacles positioned to provide a slalom course. Both low speed and forward flight control laws were implemented, and a method for automatically switching control modes was developed. Variations in force-deflection characteristics and the number of axes controlled through an integrated side-stick were investigated. With high levels of stability and control augmentation, a four-axis controller with small-deflection in all four axes achieved satisfactory handling qualities for low-speed tasks.

Landis, K. H.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Army aviation today and tomorrow

Military helicopters and their functions in combat are described. Electronic countermeasures, target acquisition, surveillance, reconnaissance, weapons systems, night flight capability, troop transport, and nap-of-the-earth navigation are discussed.

Philips, G.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Some thoughts on the implementation of pilot night vision devices for helicopters

Night vision enhancement devices greatly expand the range and quality of services by extending night operational capabilities. Evolving military tactical concepts for helicopters survivability and battlefield effectiveness necessitate nap-of-the-earth (NOE) flying under both day and night conditions. From a pilot workload standpoint, flying a helicopter NOE in day VFR conditions with minimum clearance between rotors and obstacles is quite demanding. Doing the same job at night is several times more difficult. There are two general categories of night vision devices in operation in helicopter aviation: the Night Vision Goggles (NVG) and forward looking infrared (FLIR) system. The capabilities and limitations of those two devices are discussed.

Tucker, G. E.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Assessment of simulation fidelity using measurements of piloting technique in flight

The U.S. Army and NASA joined together on a project to conduct a systematic investigation and validation of a ground based piloted simulation of the Army/Sikorsky UH-60A helicopter. Flight testing was an integral part of the validation effort. Nap-of-the-Earth (NOE) piloting tasks which were investigated included the bob-up, the hover turn, the dash/quickstop, the sidestep, the dolphin, and the slalom. Results from the simulation indicate that the pilot's NOE task performance in the simulator is noticeably and quantifiably degraded when compared with the task performance results generated in flight test. The results of the flight test and ground based simulation experiments support a unique rationale for the assessment of simulation fidelity: flight simulation fidelity should be judged quantitatively by measuring pilot's control strategy and technique as induced by the simulator. A quantitative comparison is offered between the piloting technique observed in a flight simulator and that observed in flight test for the same tasks performed by the same pilots.

Clement, W. F.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Assessment of simulation fidelity using measurements of piloting technique in flight

The U.S. Army and NASA have undertaken the systematic validation of a ground-based piloted simulator for the UH-60A helicopter. The results of previous handling quality and task performance flight tests for this helicopter have been used as a data base for evaluating the fidelity of the present simulation, which is being conducted at the NASA Ames Research Center's Vertical Motion Simulator. Such nap-of-the-earth piloting tasks as pop-up, hover turn, dash/quick stop, sidestep, dolphin, and slalom, have been investigated. It is noted that pilot simulator performance is significantly and quantifiable degraded by comparison with flight test results for the same tasks.

Ferguson, S. W.↗