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At least 271 records · Page 15

Flight simulator platform motion and air transport pilot training

The effect of a flight simulator platform motion on the performance and training of a pilot was evaluated using subjective ratings and objective performance data obtained on experienced B-727 pilots and pilots with no prior heavy aircraft flying experience flying B-727-200 aircraft simulator used by the FAA in the upgrade and transition training for air carrier operations. The results on experienced pilots did not reveal any reliable effects of wide variations in platform motion design. On the other hand, motion variations significantly affected the behavior of pilots without heavy-aircraft experience. The effect was limited to pitch attitude control inputs during the early phase of landing training.

Lee, Alfred T.↗

Space motion sickness during 24 flights of the Space Shuttle

This paper examines the incidence and the severity of space motion sickness (SMS) during 24 flights of the Space Shuttle, using a standardized questionnaire administered to all crewmembers postflight. It was found that, for 85 crewmembers, the incidence of SMS during a first Shuttle flight was 67 percent, of which 30 percent were mild cases, 24 percent moderate, and 13 percent severe. Crewmembers with a second flight showed a reduction in SMS incidence, but the change was not significant compared with the first flight. It is suggested that variability in crewmember training and flight experience may explain some of the differences observed.

Davis, Jeffrey R.↗

Visual cues in low-level flight - Implications for pilotage, training, simulation, and enhanced/synthetic vision systems

This paper reviews some of the sources of visual information that are available in the out-the-window scene and describes how these visual cues are important for routine pilotage and training, as well as the development of simulator visual systems and enhanced or synthetic vision systems for aircraft cockpits. It is shown how these visual cues may change or disappear under environmental or sensor conditions, and how the visual scene can be augmented by advanced displays to capitalize on the pilot's excellent ability to extract visual information from the visual scene.

Foyle, David C.↗

STS-99 Commander and Pilot for the SRTM Mission, Practice Flight in the Shuttle Training Aircraft

The primary objective of the STS-99 mission was to complete high resolution mapping of large sections of the Earth's surface using the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), a specially modified radar system. This radar system produced unrivaled 3-D images of the Earth's Surface. The mission was launched at 12:31 on February 11, 2000 onboard the space shuttle Endeavour, and led by Commander Kevin Kregel. The crew was Pilot Dominic L. Pudwill Gorie and Mission Specialists Janet L. Kavandi, Janice E. Voss, Mamoru Mohri from the National Space Development Agency (Japanese Space Agency), and Gerhard P. J. Thiele from DARA (German Space Agency). This tape shows Commander Kregel and Pilot Gorie getting on board the Shuttle Training Aircraft and practicing approaches for the shuttle landing.

Source record↗

Global Aerodynamic Modeling for Stall/Upset Recovery Training Using Efficient Piloted Flight Test Techniques

Flight test and modeling techniques were developed for efficiently identifying global aerodynamic models that can be used to accurately simulate stall, upset, and recovery on large transport airplanes. The techniques were developed and validated in a high-fidelity fixed-base flight simulator using a wind-tunnel aerodynamic database, realistic sensor characteristics, and a realistic flight deck representative of a large transport aircraft. Results demonstrated that aerodynamic models for stall, upset, and recovery can be identified rapidly and accurately using relatively simple piloted flight test maneuvers. Stall maneuver predictions and comparisons of identified aerodynamic models with data from the underlying simulation aerodynamic database were used to validate the techniques.

Morelli, Eugene A.↗

Ascent/abort training in the Shuttle Mission Simulator

The Shuttle Mission Simulator is the primary tool employed in the training of orbiter flight crews in ascent and abort flight techniques at the Johnson Space Center. The simulator uses a motion system, visual systems, and a high-fidelity cockpit to enhance accuracy of training. A team concept is utilized to train flight crews and controllers for each mission to ensure a complete understanding in both orbiter systems and mission specific flight profiles. Thus, each flight crew and flight control team is prepared for the actual flight by practicing repeatedly both the nominal ascent and each type of possible abort situation for that Shuttle mission.

Sims, John T.↗

Drinking from the Fire Hose: Why the Flight Management System Can Be Hard to Train and Difficult to Use

The Flight Management Computer (FMC) and its interface, the Multi-function Control and Display Unit (MCDU) have been identified by researchers and airlines as difficult to train and use. Specifically, airline pilots have described the "drinking from the fire-hose" effect during training. Previous research has identified memorized action sequences as a major factor in a user s ability to learn and operate complex devices. This paper discusses the use of a method to examine the quantity of memorized action sequences required to perform a sample of 102 tasks, using features of the Boeing 777 Flight Management Computer Interface. The analysis identified a large number of memorized action sequences that must be learned during training and then recalled during line operations. Seventy-five percent of the tasks examined require recall of at least one memorized action sequence. Forty-five percent of the tasks require recall of a memorized action sequence and occur infrequently. The large number of memorized action sequences may provide an explanation for the difficulties in training and usage of the automation. Based on these findings, implications for training and the design of new user-interfaces are discussed.

Sherry, Lance↗

An Experimental Study of the Effect of Out-of-the-Window Cues on Training Novice Pilots on a Flight Simulator

The effects of out-of-the-window cues on learning a straight-in landing approach and a level 360deg turn by novice pilots on a flight simulator have been investigated. The treatments consisted of training with and without visual cues as well as density of visual cues. The performance of the participants was then evaluated through similar but more challenging tasks. It was observed that the participants in the landing study who trained with visual cues performed poorly than those who trained without the cues. However the performance of those who trained with a faded-cues sequence performed slightly better than those who trained without visual cues. In the level turn study it was observed that those who trained with the visual cues performed better than those who trained without visual cues. The study also showed that those participants who trained with a lower density of cues performed better than those who trained with a higher density of visual cues.

Khan, M. Javed↗

Stress Counter-Response Training Via Physiological Self-Regulation During Flight Simulation

This study provided the first evaluation of a new training concept and technology aimed at training pilots to maintain physiological equilibrium during circumstances in an airplane cockpit. Thirty healthy subjects (16 males and 14 females) between the ages of 18 and 35 were randomized into two study groups, A and B. Subjects participated individually in a sequence of four study sessions. In the first visit, subjects were taught to operate a desktop fighter jet flight simulation program. In the three sessions that followed, subjects in group A were trained to minimize their autonomic deviation from baseline values while operating the desktop flight simulation. This was done by making their skin conductance and hand temperature deviations from baseline impair the functionality of the aircraft controls. Subjects also received auditory and visual cues about their autonomic deviation, and were instructed to keep these within pre-set limits to retain full control of the aircraft. Subjects in group B were subjected to periods of impaired aircraft functionality independent of their physiologic activity, and thus served as a control group. No statistically significant group differences were found in the flight performance scores from the three training sessions, and post-training flight performance scores of the two groups were not different. We conclude that this study did not provide clear support for this training methodology in optimizing pilot performance. However, a number of shortcomings in the current status of this training methodology may account for the lack of demonstrable training benefit to the experimental group. Suggested future modifications for research on this training methodology include: Limiting the amount of instrument impairment resulting from physiological deviations; conducting a greater number of physiological training sessions per subject; using pre-post training performance tests which invoke a greater amount of stress in subjects; and developing a more detailed performance scoring system.

Palsson, Olafur S.↗

Intelligent Computerized Training System

Intelligent computer-aided training system gives trainees same experience gained from best on-the-job training. Automated system designed to emulate behavior of experienced teacher devoting full time and attention to training novice. Proposes challenging training scenarios, monitors and evaluates trainee's actions, makes meaningful comments in response to errors, reponds to requests for information, gives hints when appropriate, and remembers strengths and weaknesses so it designs suitable exercises. Used to train flight-dynamics officers in deploying satellites from Space Shuttle. Adapted to training for variety of tasks and situations, simply by modifying one or at most two of its five modules. Helps to ensure continuous supply of trained specialists despite scarcity of experienced and skilled human trainers.

Wang, Lui↗

The Comprehensive LOFT

The training of pilots at major US air carriers has changed little over the years. These courses often begin in learning each and every sub-system of the particular airplane to be flown. The training course culminates in a series of training sessions in a full-motion, full-mission flight simulator. Most US airlines now incorporate one final simulator training session known as LOFT, Line Oriented Flight Training, where rather than going through a series of disconnected, isolated, flight maneuvers, the session is conducted as a flight from a departure airport to a destination airport. Flying for an Air Line, one is a Line Pilot, flying the "line." And so the LOFT session in the simulator is supposed to represent the reality of line operations and thus prepare the trainee to fly the line. But if the ultimate goal of the training is to produce a pilot who is ready to safely and efficiently fly the line, shouldn't all training be "line oriented"? This paper describes an approach to structuring airline flight training such that all training is "line oriented." This approach represents an opportunity to translate many of the training principles offered by Healy and her colleagues into training specifications.

Training Principles↗

Development of the Suited Injury Modes and Effects Analysis for Identification of Top Injury Risks in Lunar Missions and Training

A new Exploration Extravehicular Activity Services (xEVAS) suit is being designed to replace the current Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA’s) Artemis program to return astronauts to the lunar surface. This new suit will allow for increased range of motion compared to the current EMU and Apollo era suits and additional features will enhance the health and safety of exploration. With the design of lunar missions and the xEVAS suit progressing, it is important to consider possible injuries and injury mechanisms that could occur in the suit. To address these concerns, the suited Injury Modes and Effects Analysis (IMEA) was developed to outline suited injury scenarios and rank them based on risk score. The IMEA documents possible scenarios and underlying mechanisms of injury. History has shown that more suit injuries occur during training than in flight; therefore, currently planned training events to prepare for lunar missions and tasks during lunar surface EVAs were considered. Each scenario is ranked with likelihood and consequence scorings based on our current understanding of suit and application of Artemis design reference missions. The scoring allowed identification of the high-risk cases that will drive further work in suited injury. Mechanisms of injury, injury outcomes, and mitigation strategies are evaluated within each scenario. The Suited Injury Summit was held on January 5, 2022, to vet the IMEA with external experts. This was an all-day virtual meeting with the suited injury team; ergonomists; suit engineers; safety engineers; the flight operations directorate; flight doctors; astronauts; astronaut strength, conditioning, and rehabilitation specialists (ASCRS); and external subject matter experts (SMEs). External SMEs consisted of surgeons with varying specialties. The intent of this meeting was to walk through the top injury risks identified in the analysis, identify any gaps that were not captured, and discuss mitigations. With participation from all groups, countless lessons-learned came from the Summit meeting. Using these, the top 10 risks have been identified: neutral buoyancy laboratory training, hand/glove injuries, poor suit fit, field training, specific EVA tasks/design of task, boots/ankle injuries, falls from heights, background radiation, repetitive contact, and ambulation/longdistance ambulation. Mitigation steps have also been determined for each of the top risks. The IMEA and documentation of top risks is a living document. Yearly meetings are planned to update the analysis and reevaluate top risks and mitigations. The IMEA is being used to drive work in suited injury, and this work will continue to evolve with IMEA and lunar mission updates.

Teresa Reiber↗

Marshall Space Flight Center Telescience Resource Kit

Telescience Resource Kit (TReK) is a suite of software applications that can be used to monitor and control assets in space or on the ground. The Telescience Resource Kit was originally developed for the International Space Station program. Since then it has been used to support a variety of NASA programs and projects including the WB-57 Ascent Vehicle Experiment (WAVE) project, the Fast Affordable Science and Technology Satellite (FASTSAT) project, and the Constellation Program. The Payloads Operations Center (POC), also known as the Payload Operations Integration Center (POIC), provides the capability for payload users to operate their payloads at their home sites. In this environment, TReK provides local ground support system services and an interface to utilize remote services provided by the POC. TReK provides ground system services for local and remote payload user sites including International Partner sites, Telescience Support Centers, and U.S. Investigator sites in over 40 locations worldwide. General Capabilities: Support for various data interfaces such as User Datagram Protocol, Transmission Control Protocol, and Serial interfaces. Data Services - retrieve, process, record, playback, forward, and display data (ground based data or telemetry data). Command - create, modify, send, and track commands. Command Management - Configure one TReK system to serve as a command server/filter for other TReK systems. Database - databases are used to store telemetry and command definition information. Application Programming Interface (API) - ANSI C interface compatible with commercial products such as Visual C++, Visual Basic, LabVIEW, Borland C++, etc. The TReK API provides a bridge for users to develop software to access and extend TReK services. Environments - development, test, simulations, training, and flight. Includes standalone training simulators.

Wade, Gina↗