Conclusions From Active Centerstick Evaluations in the V-22 Simulator

During 1998 and 1999, a pair of Active Centerstick controllers were evaluated in the V-22 Osprey Simulator at the Naval Air Warfare Center in Patuxent River, Maryland. The simulations were part of a larger trade study with the goal of investigating the feasibility of replacing the mechanical Centerstick controls in the V-22 Osprey with a pair of Active Sticks. This paper discusses several of the major conclusions from these simulations in the area of Active Stick design and performance evaluations. The reader is introduced to the primary design choices for Active Sticks and their benefits and consequences. A set of requirements for defining force feel quality is also described with methods for testing compliance to the requirements. A major goal of these requirements is to provide a means to thoroughly evaluate the Active Stick performance in a laboratory environment before moving to the more expensive process of piloted evaluations in a simulator or aircraft. During the trade study, laboratory evaluations were conducted first, followed by piloted simulation evaluations to validate the laboratory conclusions and to help refine the tolerances defined for various specifications. The conclusions from the trade study show that the Active Sticks that were evaluated met many requirements but still required improvement. The data also clearly shows that the technology for Active Sticks has matured to a level where an Active Stick is a viable alternative to a mechanical force-feel system.