A Flight Centered Approach to Assess Dynamic Flight Simulation and Simulator Force Cueing Fidelity

With an aging aircraft fleet and an ongoing period of combat, the USAF must look more to ground based simulation to supplement flight training. Objective measures are needed, however, to insure that a training environment with limitations in force cueing adequately transfers back to flight. Systems Technology, Inc. proposes to leverage the significant past research with a flight-centered approach to produce effective qualitative and quantitative measures of simulator force cueing fidelity as it relates to tactical aircraft flight training that will be incorporated into the Real-Flight software toolbox. To validate the proposed approach, a prototype version of the software will be created and assessed via flight test and piloted simulation evaluations. Real-Flight will feature a complete set of task performance, pilot-vehicle system, psychophysiological, and qualitative (i.e., pilot ratings and comments) metrics. Flight test evaluations will be conducted using the Calspan Learjet In-Flight Simulator to provide a direct measure of how well various simulator force cueing components aid in replicating tactical aircraft training scenarios. A minimum of three simulator configurations will be used: fixed-base; limited motion-base to approximate a dynamic seat; and full motion-base. The same set of test pilot participants will support both the flight and simulator activities. BENEFIT: This proposed program will lead to a Real-Flight software tool box that will provide a means to assess simulator force cueing fidelity as it relates to tactical flight training. STI expects that Real-Flight and related derivatives will find application throughout the DoD as a means to assess the effectiveness of dynamic flight simulation and force cueing in fixed-wing, rotorcraft, and ground vehicle training simulators. The assessment methods and metrics may also be used in the training simulator procurement process to ensure maximum return on investment in terms of training effectiveness versus procurement cost. A tool such as Real-Flight would also be a useful assessment tool for the FAA, the airlines, and the commercial training simulator manufacturers. For the manufacturers, the assessment metrics and methodologies underlying Real-Flight will be useful as design guidelines.