Pilot Behavioral Modeling for Flight Operations Near Ships

The proposed Phase I SBIR program will result in development and validation of simple pilot models to predict the control activity required for a rotorcraft and for a conventional fixed wing aircraft to approach, land on, and take off from a ship. The proposed effort is based on a proven technical approach to pilot behavioral modeling for a variety of aircraft tasks and maneuvers for military and civil operational environments. The technical approach embodies a rational architecture that generates control displacements using visual, motion, and proprioceptive feedbacks for a serial event-driven task execution. The development procedure involves use of the Matlab/Simulink programming environment to synthesize and demonstrate pilot models in a virtual reality environment. Resulting models can be expressed readily in any desired programming language that the user may elect for in-house simulation. The Matlab/Simulink results also provide a checkout tool for installation of pilot models on other platforms. The proposer will begin this effort with a rich repertoire of flight task and maneuver models and modeling techniques. Further, he has extensive knowledge of the shipboard operating environment and associated aircraft. Results from Phase I will provide an effective basis for a subsequent Phase II effort. Flight operations to and from ships have a profound influence on fixed- and rotary-wing naval aircraft design, including aerodynamics, flight controls, structures, and propulsion. Based on the contractor's direct experience in pilot modeling and in studying shipboard flight operations, a validated model of the pilot's manual control activities will go far in the understanding and efficient specification of design standards for the air vehicle. Also, computer modeling and simulation for manual aircraft operations provides a needed means for extending conventional simulator and in-flight data gathering as well as enhancing pre-test planning and post-test data analysis. The methodology can be applied to engineering modifications and upgrades to existing aircraft and to development of new aircraft. Additionally, the same techniques can be used in the areas of aircrew training where task performance and assessment can benefit from automated objective metrics. Examples of such benefits are already present in the literature for both military and commercial applications.