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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 307 records · Page 17
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Emerald Connections Weatherization Plus Health Pilot Program

The Emerald Connections Weatherization Plus Health Pilot Program (Healthy Homes Pilot or the pilot), delivered 97 comprehensive energy retrofits to low-income households in two underserved communities: Lynn, Massachusetts (57) and the Beacon Hill neighborhood in Seattle, Washington (40). Designed by Emerald Cities Collaborative (ECC) and funded via a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Enhancement and Innovation (E&I) grant, ECC created the pilot to expand the reach and range of services typically available to participating WAP households.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
NASA NTRS1971

Pilot reports of disorientation across 14 years of flight.

The purpose of this study was to compare recent incidents involving disorientation in flight reported by 336 Air Force, Army, and Navy pilots with incidents reported by 137 pilots in 1956. The pilots reported their experiences using a check list and a written description of an experience with disorientation in the aircraft they were flying at the time. The latter included 40 incidents which occurred in support of operations in Vietnam. The reports of disorientation showed a striking similarity across types of aircraft flown over 14 years of flying, as well as with the incidents occurring in Vietnam. However, some variation in reports between aircraft types was noted. These reports of disorientation suggest that disorientation is currently experienced in a wide variety of flight operations and that it will continue to be experienced by aircraft pilots.

Clark, B.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Estimation of nonlinear pilot model parameters including time delay.

Investigation of the feasibility of using a Kalman filter estimator for the identification of unknown parameters in nonlinear dynamic systems with a time delay. The problem considered is the application of estimation theory to determine the parameters of a family of pilot models containing delayed states. In particular, the pilot-plant dynamics are described by differential-difference equations of the retarded type. The pilot delay, included as one of the unknown parameters to be determined, is kept in pure form as opposed to the Pade approximations generally used for these systems. Problem areas associated with processing real pilot response data are included in the discussion.

Schiess, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The analysis of the pilot's cognitive and decision processes

Articles are presented on pilot performance in zero-visibility precision approach, failure detection by pilots during automatic landing, experiments in pilot decision-making during simulated low visibility approaches, a multinomial maximum likelihood program, and a random search algorithm for laboratory computers. Other topics discussed include detection of system failures in multi-axis tasks and changes in pilot workload during an instrument landing.

Curry, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1976

An investigation of correlation between pilot scanning behavior and workload using stepwise regression analysis

An electro-optical device called an oculometer which tracks a subject's lookpoint as a time function has been used to collect data in a real-time simulation study of instrument landing system (ILS) approaches. The data describing the scanning behavior of a pilot during the instrument approaches have been analyzed by use of a stepwise regression analysis technique. A statistically significant correlation between pilot workload, as indicated by pilot ratings, and scanning behavior has been established. In addition, it was demonstrated that parameters derived from the scanning behavior data can be combined in a mathematical equation to provide a good representation of pilot workload.

Waller, M. C.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A flight investigation of piloting techniques and crosswind limitations during visual STOL-type landing operations

A flight research program was undertaken to investigate problems concerned with landing a STOL airplane in crosswind conditions. The program included a study of piloting techniques and crosswind limitations during visual STOL type landing operations. The results indicated that the crosswind was more limiting during the ground roll out than during the airborne phases. The pilots estimated that the crosswind limit for commercial STOL type operations with the test aircraft would be approximately 15 to 20 knots. The pilots thought that the crosswind limits for ground operation might be extended by incorporating wing-lift spoilers, improved nose gear steering, and improved engine response. The pilots agreed that a crosswind landing gear would also be beneficial.

Fisher, B. D.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Pilot interaction with automated airborne decision making systems

An investigation was made of interaction between a human pilot and automated on-board decision making systems. Research was initiated on the topic of pilot problem solving in automated and semi-automated flight management systems and attempts were made to develop a model of human decision making in a multi-task situation. A study was made of allocation of responsibility between human and computer, and discussed were various pilot performance parameters with varying degrees of automation. Optimal allocation of responsibility between human and computer was considered and some theoretical results found in the literature were presented. The pilot as a problem solver was discussed. Finally the design of displays, controls, procedures, and computer aids for problem solving tasks in automated and semi-automated systems was considered.

Rouse, W. B.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A systematic approach to advanced cockpit warning systems for air transport operations: Line pilot preferences

Line pilots (fifty captains, first officers, and flight engineers) from 8 different airlines were administered a structured questionnaire relating to future warning system design and solutions to current warning system problems. This was followed by a semantic differential to obtain a factor analysis of 18 different cockpit warning signals on scales such as informative/distracting, annoying/soothing. Half the pilots received a demonstration of the experimental text and voice synthesizer warning systems before answering the questionnaire and the semantic differential. A control group answered the questionnaire and the semantic differential first, thus providing a check for the stability of pilot preferences with and without actual exposure to experimental systems. Generally, the preference data obtained revealed much consistency and strong agreement among line pilots concerning advance cockpit warning system design.

Williams, D. H.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Pilot evaluation of an advanced hingeless rotor XY-15 simulation

A piloted simulation of an advanced hingeless rotor XV-15 tilt-rotor aircraft was carried out. The evaluation was made by a pilot from NASA-Ames who had previous experience flying a simulation of the current gimballed rotor NASA/Army XV-15. It was pointed out that some modifications to the force feel system were needed in order to provide rapid force trimming during rapid maneuvers. Some additional tailoring of the SCAS system was required to achieve good nap-of-the-earth performance. Overall pilot opinion on the hingeless rotor XV-15 tilt rotor was favorable. Brief discussion on the mathematical models and the simulator configuration are presented. The maneuvers and pilot comments are given along with some engineering comments.

Mcveigh, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Effects of dynamic aeroelasticity on handling qualities and pilot rating

Pilot performance parameters, such as pilot ratings, tracking errors, and pilot comments were determined for a longitudinal pitch tracking task using a large, flexible bomber with parametric variations in the undamped natural frequencies of the two lowest frequency symmetric elastic modes. This pitch tracking task was programmed on a fixed base simulator with an electronic attitude-director display of pitch command, pitch angle, and pitch error. Low frequency structural flexibility significantly affects the handling qualities and pilot ratings in the task evaluated.

Yen, W. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1977

A piloted simulation of V/STOL landings aboard a non-aviation ship

A lift fan simulation program was conducted to examine V/STOL handling qualities and operational problems, to find solutions to high pilot workload problem areas, and to simulate terminal guidance and control of a landing on a nonaviation ship. Piloting aids evaluated include an advanced attitude control system, a decoupled flight path control system, and an integrated head-up display. Results are discussed from a pilot's point of view with emphasis on reduction of pilot workload during V/STOL aircraft recoveries at sea.

Gerdes, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Study of the use of a nonlinear, rate-limited filter on pilot control signals

The use of a nonlinear, rate limited filter for rejecting the remnant (noise) in a pilot's control signal was studied through both an analytical study using pilot models and a simulation study using experienced test pilots. The nonlinear filter was compared with a linear filter and with no filter for both attitude and altitude control tasks. The results show that the nonlinear filter does promote rapid, steady maneuvering better than either the linear filter or the no filter condition. In addition, if the rate limit in the nonlinear filter is set so that it is too restrictive, a pilot induced unstable altitude oscillation can result.

Adams, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Pilot evaluation of sailplane handling qualities

The evaluation sailplanes were found generally deficient in the area of cockpit layout. The pilots indicated general dissatisfaction with high pitch sensitivity especially when coupled with inertially induced stick forces. While all sailplanes were judged satisfactory for centering thermals and in the ease of speed control in circling flight, pilot opinions diverged on the maneuvering response, pull-out characteristics from a dive, and on phugoid damping. Lateral-directional control problems were noted mainly during takeoff and landing for most sailplanes with the landing wheel ahead of center of gravity. Pilot opinion of in-flight lateral-directional stability and control was generally satisfactory. Five of the evaluation sailplanes exhibited a very narrow airspeed band in which perceptible stall warning buffet occurred. However, this characteristic was considered not objectionable when stall recovery was easy. The pilots objected to the characteristics of a wide airspeed band of stall warning followed by a stall with yawing and rolling tendency and substantial loss of altitude during the stall. Glide path control for the evaluation sailplanes was found to be generally objectionable.

Bennett, A. G., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Detection by pilots of system failures during instrument landings

The effects of gust disturbances and the pilot's participation mode in the control task on his work-load level and failure detection performance during a simulated low visibility landing approach are examined. We found that the participation mode had a strong effect on the pilot's work load, the induced work load being lowest when the pilot acted as a monitoring element during a coupled approach and highest when the pilot was an active element in the control loop. The effects of differential work load and participation mode on failure detection were separated. The participation mode was shown to have a dominant effect on the failure detection performance, with a failure in a monitored (coupled) axis being detected significantly faster than a comparable failure in a manually controlled axis.

Ephrath, A. R.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Effects of dynamic aeroelasticity on handling qualities and pilot rating

Pilot performance parameters, such as pilot ratings, tracking errors, and pilot comments, were recorded and analyzed for a longitudinal pitch tracking task on a large, flexible aircraft. The tracking task was programmed on a fixed-base simulator with a CRT attitude director display of pitch angle command, pitch angle, and pitch angle error. Parametric variations in the undamped natural frequencies of the two lowest frequency symmetric elastic modes were made to induce varying degrees of rigid body and elastic mode interaction. The results indicate that such mode interaction can drastically affect the handling qualities and pilot ratings of the task.

Swaim, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Discrete-time pilot model

Pilot behavior is considered as a discrete-time process where the decision making has a sequential nature. This model differs from both the quasilinear model which follows from classical control theory and from the optimal control model which considers the human operator as a Kalman estimator-predictor. An additional factor considered is that the pilot's objective may not be adequately formulated as a quadratic cost functional to be minimized, but rather as a more fuzzy measure of the closeness with which the aircraft follows a reference trajectory. All model parameters, in the digital program simulating the pilot's behavior, were successfully compared in terms of standard-deviation and performance with those of professional pilots in IFR configuration. The first practical application of the model was in the study of its performance degradation when the aircraft model static margin decreases.

Cavalli, D.↗