Simulation System Optimization for Rotorcraft Research on the Vertical Motion Simulator

To obtain handling qualities ratings similar to flight in a ground based motion simulator, the motion and visual pilot cueing systems should be optimized to provide realistic cues. A handling qualities experiment conducted on the Vertical Motion Simulator using the GenHel UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter math model demonstrated the benefits of an optimized simulation system. The simulator’s motion and visual system frequency responses were measured, the aircraft math model was adjusted to account for the simulator motion system delays, and the motion system gains and washouts were tuned for the bob-up, sidestep and hover tasks. The resulting handling quality ratings from the optimized simulation system are better than the simulation system with the standard GenHel math model for all three tasks. The sidestep and bob-up handling qualities ratings for the optimized simulation system are similar to those from actual flight tests. I