Probabilistic Assessment of Pilot-Vehicle System Performance and Perceived Vehicle Handling Qualities

This paper proposes a novel mathematical methodology for probabilistic handling qualities evaluation using the Koopman operator. The Koopman operator is used to quantify the impact of parametric uncertainty in a pilot model to specific pilot-vehicle system performance specifications and to perceived vehicle handling qualities. The considered specifications include the Hover Mission Task Element (MTE), broken loop gain and phase margins, and pilot opinion ratings of workload. The application to each specification is illustrated through an example involving the UH-60 helicopter. Results demonstrate the utility of the proposed method in mapping uncertainty in the pilot model parameters to uncertainty in handling qualities evaluations.