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At least 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2008

Piloted Evaluation of the H-Mode, a Variable Autonomy Control System, in Motion-Based Simulation

As aircraft become able to autonomously respond to a range of situations with performance surpassing human operators, we are compelled to look for new methods that help understand their use and guide the design of new, more effective forms of automation and interaction. The "H-mode" is one such method and is based on the metaphor of a well-trained horse. The concept allows the pilot to manage a broad range of control automation functionality, from augmented manual control to FMS-like coupling and automation initiated actions, using a common interface system and easily learned set of interaction skills. The interface leverages familiar manual control interfaces (e.g., the control stick) and flight displays through the addition of contextually dependent haptic-multimodal elements. The concept is relevant to manned and remotely piloted vehicles. This paper provides an overview of the H-mode concept followed by a presentation of the results from a recent evaluation conducted in a motion-based simulator. The evaluation focused on assessing the overall usability and flying qualities of the concept with an emphasis on the effects of turbulence and cockpit motion. Because the H-mode results in interactions between traditional flying qualities and management of higher-level flight path automation, these effects are of particular interest. The results indicate that the concept may provide a useful complement or replacement to conventional interfaces, and retains the usefulness in the presence of turbulence and motion.

Goodrich, Kenneth H.↗
NASA NTRS1995

The lift-fan aircraft: Lessons learned

This report summarizes the highlights and results of a workshop held at NASA Ames Research Center in October 1992. The objective of the workshop was a thorough review of the lessons learned from past research on lift fans, and lift-fan aircraft, models, designs, and components. The scope included conceptual design studies, wind tunnel investigations, propulsion systems components, piloted simulation, flight of aircraft such as the SV-5A and SV-5B and a recent lift-fan aircraft development project. The report includes a brief summary of five technical presentations that addressed the subject The Lift-Fan Aircraft: Lessons Learned.

Deckert, Wallace H.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Human Factors Directions for Civil Aviation

Despite considerable progress in understanding human capabilities and limitations, incorporating human factors into aircraft design, operation, and certification, and the emergence of new technologies designed to reduce workload and enhance human performance in the system, most aviation accidents still involve human errors. Such errors occur as a direct or indirect result of untimely, inappropriate, or erroneous actions (or inactions) by apparently well-trained and experienced pilots, controllers, and maintainers. The field of human factors has solved many of the more tractable problems related to simple ergonomics, cockpit layout, symbology, and so on. We have learned much about the relationships between people and machines, but know less about how to form successful partnerships between humans and the information technologies that are beginning to play a central role in aviation. Significant changes envisioned in the structure of the airspace, pilots and controllers' roles and responsibilities, and air/ground technologies will require a similarly significant investment in human factors during the next few decades to ensure the effective integration of pilots, controllers, dispatchers, and maintainers into the new system. Many of the topics that will be addressed are not new because progress in crucial areas, such as eliminating human error, has been slow. A multidisciplinary approach that capitalizes upon human studies and new classes of information, computational models, intelligent analytical tools, and close collaborations with organizations that build, operate, and regulate aviation technology will ensure that the field of human factors meets the challenge.

Hart, Sandra G.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Cockpit resource management at USAir

The current USAir CRM program is presented. The lessons learned and the program issues are combined. The training material was developed after an extensive literature search and pilot interview survey to determine the problem. The investigation led to the design, implementation, and evaluation of a behavioral science awareness training program. The need was found, and the target population was identified as the pilot group.

Sellards, Robert↗
NASA NTRS1998

NAESA Augmentation Pilot Project

This project was one project within the Native American Earth and Space Academy (NAESA). NAESA is a national initiative comprised of several organizations that support programs which focus on 1) enhancing the technological, scientific and pedagogical skills of K-14 teachers who instruct Native Americans, 2) enhancing the understanding and applications of science, technology, and engineering of college-bound Native Americans and teaching them general college "survival skills" (e.g., test taking, time management, study habits), 3) enhancing the scientific and pedagogical skills of the faculty of tribally-controllcd colleges and community colleges with large Native American enrollments, and 4) strengthening the critical relationships between students, their parents, tribal elders, and their communities. This Augmentation Pilot Project focused on the areas of community-school alliances and intemet technology use in teaching and learning and daily living addressing five major objectives.

Hoover, John J.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Staying Motivated During Tough Times

This paper describes the problem of team motivation on a project. Our team was working with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The task consisted of figuring out how to safely control and land an airliner using just the thrust from the engines. This is called Throttles-Only Control (TOC). We weren't allowed to modify the airliner in any way, given the time and cost involved, and we had to use a stock airliner with line pilots. The idea was to give the pilots an emergency checklist which would provide them with the most useful information in the shortest time to learn how to fly TOC. The DHS Program office that was supporting us had its funding redirected, due to new priorities. The process of staying motivated for finishing as much of the project as possible is described.

Cole, Jennifer H.↗
NASA NTRS1963

Integrated Mission Simulation for Long Term Space Flight

The problems of evaluating pilot performance, pilot training, and the integration of the man-machine system for proper functioning become increasingly difficult as the length of projected space flights increases. Further, actual in-flight experience becomes harder to obtain and the major means for training and evaluation becomes simulation. The first major source of difficulty in any simulation stems from a basic requirement of leaning theory: that for increased proficiency of performance to occur within any biologically capable system, the stimuli which are the bases for the expected behavior must be presented in an amenable form to the learner. Further, the sequence of presentation of the pertinent stimuli must be such that the learner can form the appropriate concepts and interactions required for the ultimate use of the learned material. It can then be seen that two basic factors of learning complex skills are: 1) Fidelity of simulation of pertinent stimuli. 2) Appropriate sequencing of stimuli during learning for proper concept formation.

SPACE FLIGHT↗
NASA NTRS2011

Mission X: Train Like an Astronaut Pilot Study

Mission X: Train Like an Astronaut is an international educational challenge focusing on fitness and nutrition as we encourage students to "train like an astronaut." Teams of students (aged 8-12) learn principles of healthy eating and exercise, compete for points by finishing training modules, and get excited about their future as "fit explorers." The 18 core exercises (targeting strength, endurance, coordination, balance, spatial awareness, and more) involve the same types of skills that astronauts learn in their training and use in spaceflight. This first-of-its-kind cooperative outreach program has allowed 14 space agencies and various partner institutions to work together to address quality health/fitness education, challenge students to be more physically active, increase awareness of the importance of lifelong health and fitness, teach students how fitness plays a vital role in human performance for exploration, and inspire and motivate students to pursue careers in STEM fields. The project was initiated in 2009 in response to a request by the International Space Life Sciences Working Group. USA, Netherlands, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Colombia, Spain, and United Kingdom hosted teams for the pilot this past spring, and Japan held a modified version of the challenge. Several more agencies provided input into the preparations. Competing on 131 teams, more than 3700 students from 40 cities worldwide participated in the first round of Mission X. OUTCOMES AND BEST PRACTICES Members of the Mission X core team will highlight the outcomes of this international educational outreach pilot project, show video highlights of the challenge, provide the working group s initial assessment of the project and discuss the future potential of the effort. The team will also discuss ideas and best practices for international partnership in education outreach efforts from various agency perspectives and experiences

Lloyd, Charles W.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

First Impressions of Data Driven Printmaking: Preliminary Outcomes of an Art and Science Collaboration

Katie Baldwin (University of Alabama Huntsville) and Helen Parache (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center) collaborated on a pilot project with two upper division printmaking classes at the UAH Art Department in Spring 2023. Presentations and guided discussions focused on what artists and scientists can learn from each other, drawing from the larger discourse, and an introduction to artists that incorporate scientific data in their work. Parache and Baldwin facilitated a series of activities where students engaged with data to develop content. Each session ended with creating a plan with each student for a data-driven project utilizing printmaking which was shared in a talk open to the public. This pilot collaboration brought up themes of accessibility, social relevance, emotional truth, and creative solutions. Next steps include repeating the workshop with tweaks in Fall 2023 and strengthening relationships between artists and scientists co-located in Huntsville, Alabama.

data-driven art↗
NASA NTRS2014

Aviation Safety Risk Modeling: Lessons Learned From Multiple Knowledge Elicitation Sessions

Aviation safety risk modeling has elements of both art and science. In a complex domain, such as the National Airspace System (NAS), it is essential that knowledge elicitation (KE) sessions with domain experts be performed to facilitate the making of plausible inferences about the possible impacts of future technologies and procedures. This study discusses lessons learned throughout the multiple KE sessions held with domain experts to construct probabilistic safety risk models for a Loss of Control Accident Framework (LOCAF), FLightdeck Automation Problems (FLAP), and Runway Incursion (RI) mishap scenarios. The intent of these safety risk models is to support a portfolio analysis of NASA's Aviation Safety Program (AvSP). These models use the flexible, probabilistic approach of Bayesian Belief Networks (BBNs) and influence diagrams to model the complex interactions of aviation system risk factors. Each KE session had a different set of experts with diverse expertise, such as pilot, air traffic controller, certification, and/or human factors knowledge that was elicited to construct a composite, systems-level risk model. There were numerous "lessons learned" from these KE sessions that deal with behavioral aggregation, conditional probability modeling, object-oriented construction, interpretation of the safety risk results, and model verification/validation that are presented in this paper.

Luxhoj, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1996

The X-31A quasi-tailless flight test results

A quasi-tailless flight investigation was launched using the X-31A enhanced fighter maneuverability airplane. In-flight simulations were used to assess the effect of partial to total vertical tail removal. The rudder control surface was used to cancel the stabilizing effects of the vertical tail, and yaw thrust vector commands were used to restabilize and control the airplane. The quasi-tailless mode was flown supersonically with gentle maneuvering and subsonically in precision approaches and ground attack profiles. Pilot ratings and a full set of flight test measurements were recorded. This report describes the results obtained and emphasizes the lessons learned from the X-31A flight test experiment. Sensor-related issues and their importance to a quasi-tailless simulation and to ultimately controlling a directionally unstable vehicle are assessed. The X-31A quasi-tailless flight test experiment showed that tailless and reduced tail fighter aircraft are definitely feasible. When the capability is designed into the airplane from the beginning, the benefits have the potential to outweigh the added complexity required.

Bosworth, John T.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Enhancing Icing Training for Pilots Through Web-Based Multimedia

The Aircraft Icing Project of the NASA Aviation Safety Program has developed a number of in-flight icing education and training aids designed to increase pilot awareness about the hazards associated with various icing conditions. The challenges and advantages of transitioning these icing training materials to a Web-based delivery are discussed. Innovative Web-based delivery devices increased course availability to pilots and dispatchers while increasing course flexibility and utility. These courses are customizable for both self-directed and instructor-led learning. Part of our goal was to create training materials with enough flexibility to enable Web-based delivery and downloadable portability while maintaining a rich visual multimedia-based learning experience. Studies suggest that using visually based multimedia techniques increases the effectiveness of icing training materials. This paper describes these concepts, gives examples, and discusses the transitional challenges.

Fletcher, William↗
NASA NTRS2018

Detecting Spacecraft Anomalies Using LSTMs and Nonparametric Dynamic Thresholding

As spacecraft send back increasing amounts of telemetry data, improved anomaly detection systems are needed to lessen the monitoring burden placed on operations engineers and reduce operational risk. Current spacecraft monitoring systems only target a subset of anomaly types and often require costly expert knowledge to develop and maintain due to challenges involving scale and complexity. We demonstrate the effectiveness of Long Short-Term Memory (LSTMs) networks, a type of Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), in overcoming these issues using expert-labeled telemetry anomaly data from the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite and the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover, Curiosity. We also propose a complementary unsupervised and nonparametric anomaly thresholding approach developed during a pilot implementation of an anomaly detection system for SMAP, and offer false positive mitigation strategies along with other key improvements and lessons learned during development.

Soderstrom, Tom↗
NASA NTRS2023

Technology Scouting Phase 1 Report

Identifying emerging technologies is critical to a mission-oriented agency such as NASA that is always endeavoring to achieve first-of-a-kind human and scientific exploration goals. While NASA attempts to embrace faster and novel development approaches, there have been several recent examples where the Agency has been outpaced in technology research and development, especially by emerging companies. This is in part due to the democratization of space, as seen in the flood of new space companies and capital, and because capabilities and performance levels that used to be almost exclusively demanded by space missions are now scattered across many industries. Also, NASA tends to focus on technologies and techniques developed internally, within the space sector, or in clearly related disciplines. In this context, the overall goal of the Technology Scouting project is to develop an approach to conduct effective technology scouting within NASA by first assessing the need for such a capability, evaluating current and recommended approaches, and then developing a strategy to address any weaknesses in the current approach. The study was designed to be conducted in three phases, each with its own goals and objectives: - Phase 1: Validate whether NASA’s technology scouting capability is consistent with best practices from industry, academia, and other government organizations, and identify whether there is the appetite for adopting a more rigorous technology scouting capability across the Agency. - Phase 2: Identify specific opportunities and challenges to adopting a more comprehensive technology scouting program through a pilot effort. - Phase 3: Define the implementation approach for the more comprehensive technology scouting program that is in response to the information learned during the earlier phases of the study.

Ellen Gertsen↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Helicopter Pilot Evaluations of the Airborne Collision Avoidance System Xr in a High-Fidelity Motion Simulation

New aircraft and aerial Urban Air Mobility operations require updated technologies to maintain vehicle separation during flight. Specifically, higher-density airspace will need more than traditional air traffic control to keep vehicles well clear of each other and avoid Near Midair Collisions. In response, the Federal Aviation Administration is currently developing the Airborne Collision Avoidance System X (ACAS X) for next-generation air traffic deconfliction, which provides caution-level and warning-level alerts in response to multiple aircraft types. This study recruited six helicopter pilots to fly an electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle model in simulated operations under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). Flights were accomplished using the high-fidelity Vertical Motion Simulator at the NASA Ames Research Center. Participants controlled the vehicle using two side inceptors and foot rudders. The rotorcraft variant of ACAS X (ACAS Xr) was provided for alerting and guidance during traffic conflicts. Pilots used this system while giving feedback to the researchers through questionnaires, debriefs, and other discussions. Variables of interest to the study were phases of flight (i.e., Cruise, Hover, and Approach) and ACAS Xr configurations: The Collision Avoidance System configuration behaves similarly to current commercial traffic systems used for tactical deconfliction in crewed vehicles, and the Detect and Avoid configuration was developed to provide extra, corrective-level guidance for unmanned aircraft systems. Results showed that pilots found the alerting and guidance from ACAS Xr useful, effective, and acceptable for VFR operations. Certain elements, like speed guidance and text banners, were found to be of no use to the pilots. Hover and Approach scenarios were considered the most difficult for ACAS Xr alerting. Reasons for this difficulty were partially due to learning interference (i.e., overcoming previously learned behavior) and partially due to the vehicle model (i.e., NASA’s Lift Plus Cruise design). Still, alerting-based confounds reveal the need for more development for ACAS Xr during these Hover and Approach flight phases. Study caveats and future projects are discussed.

air taxis↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Helicopter Pilot Evaluations of the Airborne Collision Avoidance System Xr in a High-Fidelity Motion Simulation

New aircraft and aerial Urban Air Mobility operations require updated technologies to maintain vehicle separation during flight. Specifically, higher-density airspace will need more than traditional air traffic control to keep vehicles well clear of each other and avoid Near Midair Collisions. In response, the Federal Aviation Administration is currently developing the Airborne Collision Avoidance System X (ACAS X) for next-generation air traffic deconfliction, which provides caution-level and warning-level alerts in response to multiple aircraft types. This study recruited six helicopter pilots to fly an electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle model in simulated operations under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). Flights were accomplished using the high-fidelity Vertical Motion Simulator at the NASA Ames Research Center. Participants controlled the vehicle using two side inceptors and foot rudders. The rotorcraft variant of ACAS X (ACAS Xr) was provided for alerting and guidance during traffic conflicts. Pilots used this system while giving feedback to the researchers through questionnaires, debriefs, and other discussions. Variables of interest to the study were phases of flight (i.e., Cruise, Hover, and Approach) and ACAS Xr configurations: The Collision Avoidance System configuration behaves similarly to current commercial traffic systems used for tactical deconfliction in crewed vehicles, and the Detect and Avoid configuration was developed to provide extra, corrective-level guidance for unmanned aircraft systems. Results showed that pilots found the alerting and guidance from ACAS Xr useful, effective, and acceptable for VFR operations. Certain elements, like speed guidance and text banners, were found to be of no use to the pilots. Hover and Approach scenarios were considered the most difficult for ACAS Xr alerting. Reasons for this difficulty were partially due to learning interference (i.e., overcoming previously learned behavior) and partially due to the vehicle model (i.e., NASA’s Lift Plus Cruise design). Still, alerting-based confounds reveal the need for more development for ACAS Xr during these Hover and Approach flight phases. Study caveats and future projects are discussed.

air taxis↗
NASA NTRS1995

Line Pilots' Attitudes about and Experience with Flight Deck Automation: Results of an International Survey and Proposed Guidelines

A survey of line pilots' attitudes about flight deck automation was conducted by the Royal Air Force Institute of Aviation Medicine (RAF IAM, Farnborough, UK) under the sponsorship of the United Kingdom s Civil Aviation Authority and in cooperation with IATA (the International Air Transport Association). Survey freehand comments given by pilots operating 13 types of commercial transports across five manufacturers (Airbus, Boeing, British Aerospace, Lockheed, and McDonnell-Douglas) and 57 air carriers/organizations were analyzed by NASA. These data provide a "lessons learned" knowledge base which may be used for the definition of guidelines for flight deck automation and its associated crew interface within the High Speed Research Program. The aircraft chosen for analysis represented a progression of levels of automation sophistication and complexity, from "Basic" types (e.g., B727, DC9), through "Transition" types (e.g., A300, Concorde), to two levels of glass cockpits (e.g., Glass 1: e.g., A310; Glass 2: e.g., B747-400). This paper reports the results of analyses of comments from pilots flying commercial transport types having the highest level of automation sophistication (B757/B767, B747-400, and A320). Comments were decomposed into five categories relating to: (1) general observations with regard to flight deck automation; comments concerning the (2) design and (3) crew understanding of automation and the crew interface; (4) crew operations with automation; and (5) personal factors affecting crew/automation interaction. The goal of these analyses is to contribute to the definition of guidelines which may be used during design of future aircraft flight decks.

Rudisill, Marianne↗
NASA NTRS1992

Lessons learned from an historical look at flight testing

A brief historical review of accidents was made to examine lessons learned in flight testing with major emphasis on human factors limitations. The results of this survey show undeniably that new aircraft and new pilots are not immune to old problems. Of three related human factors limitations, pilot skill frequently showed up as the primary factor responsible for accidents due to inadequate training (or proficiency) to handle an unexpected situation. A primary contributing factor was unsatisfactory aircraft handling qualities which increased pilot work load and therefore were less forgiving to 'pilot error,' particularly when flown in a stressful situation at the extremes of the flight envelope. Historically, pilot induced oscillation (PIO) has persisted as a major control problem particularly in first-flight operation. Deliberate errors involving a conscious decision to 'take a chance' by flying an aircraft with known deficiencies occurred more frequently in early times. Finally, inadvertent errors involving forgetfulness, indecision, and confusion are occurring more frequently with the current trend toward automated computerized controlled cockpits.

Seth B. Anderson↗