SUPRA - Enhanced upset recovery simulation

The SUPRA research project - Simulation of Upset Recovery in Aviation - has been funded by the European Union 7th Framework Program to enhance the flight simulation envelope for upset recovery simulation. Within the project an extended aerodynamic model, capturing the key aerodynamics during and beyond stall for a large category transport aircraft and new motion cueing solutions for both hexapod and centrifuge-based platforms were developed. This paper describes the recent piloted evaluation experiments. In the first experiment a group of ten experimental test pilots, with actual experience in stall conditions, subjectively judged the validity of the aerodynamic model and the motion cueing solutions in the simulators in different upset conditions. Pilots rated the stall behavior of the SUPRA model as representative and useful for training. They preferred improved over conventional hexapod motion cueing. Centrifuge-based cuing was considered highly valuable to recognize the positive G-loads during the late recovery phase. The second experiment showed that line pilots without previous exposure to upset conditions perform more conservative recoveries under actual G-loads in the centrifuge compared to hexapod. After some practice the number of stick shaker events and excursions into critical angle-of-attack was reduced. We conclude that the SUPRA aerodynamic model successfully demonstrates upset conditions, including stall, and that conventional hexapod motion cueing can be improved for the purpose of upset simulation. If available, centrifuge-based simulation of the G-load is a recommended addition to the upset recovery training. © 2012 by SUPRA consortium