Evaluation of Motion Tuning Methods on the Vertical Motion Simulator

An experiment at NASA Ames' Vertical Motion Simulator (VMS) evaluated three motion tuning methods using the GenHel UH-60A Black Hawk math model. For each of the three motion tuning methods, adjustments were made to the gain and washout frequency of the high pass filter designed to attenuate the math model accelerations before commanding the simulator motion platform. Two of the tuning methods were established techniques, using a motion-tuning expert to modify the gain and frequency values to satisfy a project pilot while flying the task. The third method is a quantitative approach that minimized the difference between the aircraft math model commanded acceleration and the acceleration outputted by the motion filter. Four test pilots performed the Aeronautical Design Standard (ADS)-33 Hover, Lateral Reposition, and Vertical Maneuvers for each of the three motion-tuning methods, providing Handling Quality Ratings (HQRs) after each. Comparing the simulation results of the three methods, the subjective motion tuning method was found to deliver better HQRs as compared to the quantitative method. The larger washout frequencies used in the quantitative motion-tuning method were found objectionable based on pilot comments.