Generic Research Simulator Requirements for Prediction of Adverse Rotorcraft Pilot Couplings in the Heave Axis

This paper presents the initial results of an investigation to study the effect of motion, visual and force-feel settings on incipience to Rotorcraft Pilot Couplings of a basic heave-only rotorcraft model within a generic rotorcraft flight simulator. Currently, there are no guidelines outlining requirements for simulation facilities to either validate offline Rotorcraft Pilot Coupling predictions or define new ones. The results indicate that it is important that simulation facilities be equipped with motion capabilities and correct force-feel characteristics. This is shown to be of greatest importance when assessing cases close to the boundaries of RPC incipience. The findings suggest that poor quality visual systems may be compensated for by the pilot through the use of any motion cueing available.