Attempting to Train a Digital Human Model to Reproduce Human Subject Reach Capabilities in an Ejection Seat Aircraft

From 1997 through 2002, the Air Force Research Lab and TNO Defence, Security and Safety (Business Unit Human Factors) were involved in a series of tests to quantify the accuracy of five Human Modeling Systems (HMSs) in determining accommodation limits of ejection seat aircraft. The results of these tests indicated that baseline information on initial pilot position and posture, soft tissue compression, seat cushion effects, restraint harness effects, and protective ensemble effects are all necessary before attempting to accurately use human modeling systems for this purpose. This work is now continuing with the objective of gathering these data and applying them to a single HMS. The human model will, in effect, be “trained” with this baseline information so its interaction with the seat and cockpit will be quantitatively comparable to that of a pilot’s in the same cockpit. The goal of this project is to provide – for a single aircraft - a fully validated modeling approach for use during future modifications to a specific cockpit.

This paper will outline the approach that will be followed over the next several years, the elementary issue of needed accuracy and effective verification, as well as early progress in tracking human motion within the cockpit using electro-mechanical (FARO Arm), and magnetic trackers (Ascension).