Analysis of Pilot Control Activity in ADS-33E Mission Task Elements

The present work reports the results of a research investigation into the use of multiple methods for analyzing pilot control (inceptor) activity in order to better characterize handling qualities. The investigation involved flight test data that were collected for an OH-58C Kiowa helicopter performing the Hover and Pirouette Mission Task Elements from ADS-33E. Traditional subjective handling qualities ratings were assigned, and multiple analysis methods were also applied, including the (i) pilot cutoff frequency, (ii) time-varying cutoff frequency, (iii) time-varying power frequency, and (iv) multi-frequency. The interpretation of each of these analysis methods is compared and contrasted. The results demonstrate that analysis methods based on time-frequency representations can provide unique insight into handling qualities evaluations by quantifying the character of the pilot inputs. These methods may be used to supplement classical (i.e., subjective) techniques in providing added comprehension to assigned ratings.