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SimLabs Technical Papers

Real-Time Simulation Documentation

Chad R. Frost
Presenter
National Aeronautics and Space Administration

James A. Franklin
National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Gordon H. Hardy
Northrop Grumman Information Technology

A piloted simulation was performed on the Vertical Motion Simulator at NASA Ames Research Center to evaluate flying qualities of a tilt-wing Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) transport aircraft during final approach and landing. The experiment was conducted to assess the design’s handling qualities, and to evaluate the use of flightpath-centered guidance for the precision approach and landing tasks required to perform STOL operations in instrument meteorological conditions, turbulence, and wind. Pilots rated the handling qualities to be satisfactory for all operations evaluated except those encountering extreme crosswinds and severe windshear; even in these difficult meteorological conditions, adequate handling qualities were maintained. The advanced flight control laws and guidance displays provided consistent performance and precision landings.

Download the full paper in PDF (1.4 Mb).

A hardcopy of this document is available by request from Kathleen Starmer.