V/STOL (Vertical/Short Takeoff and Landing) Low Speed and Transition Equivalent Systems Analysis.

Abstract : A fixed base manned V/STOL handling qualities simulation was performed to investigate 1) classification criteria of attitude and rate command systems in hover and low-speed flight; 2) control system blending schemes for transition from approach dynamics to hover dynamics and vice versa, and 3) the amount of control usage. Pilot ratings and comments showed that a time response criterion discriminated well between attitude and rate systems; blending schemes for transition correlated well with earlier NASA results and; pilot's command gain had a strong effect on piloting characteristics and the amount of control usage. (Author)