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Study of the Human Pilot as a Servo-Element

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

I. A. M. Hall*
Affiliation:
English Electric Aviation Ltd., Warton

Summary

A method for describing the action of a pilot in mathematical terms is presented. The method applies for tracking tasks and gives a pilot describing function which can be used in conventional servo-analysis. Flight simulator data obtained in this way for a wide variety of aircraft longitudinal response characteristics are presented and the effect of these characteristics on the pilot's action is discussed fully. In order to illustrate that work of this kind can lead to a quantitative understanding of pilot's “handling qualities” opinion, the recorded pilot opinions are “predicted” from a knowledge of three simple aircraft characteristics.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1963

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References

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