Pilot modelling and inverse simulation for initial handling qualities assessment

This paper describes the development of an approach to handling qualities investigation that can be applied at an early stage in the design of the vehicle. It makes use of inverse simulation techniques, together with a pilot model to provide an integrated description of the man-machine control system. In order to incorporate pilot effects into data generated by inverse simulation, the output from an inverse simulation run is applied as input to a closed-loop system model that includes the vehicle dynamics and a simple parametric model of the pilot. Parameters of the pilot model are determined by optimisation and the pilot effect is added to the system output. Validation of the approach is achieved through a case study involving a predefined mission task involving a lateral manoeuvre. Equalisation characteristics estimated for each pilot are compared with those found by inverse simulation for the same manoeuvre. This approach may be applied using a simple real-time simulation on a desk-top computer and could be of value in identifying any potential deficiencies in a helicopter flight control system at an early stage in its development