Simulation evaluation of flight controls and display concepts for VTOL shipboard operations

A ground-based evaluation of several control-system concepts and display formats for use in shipboard landing operations of a V/STOL aircraft (AV-8A Harrier) is reported. The study was conducted in the Vertical Motion Simulator at Ames Research Center. The control systems ranged from a rate-damping SAS to a translational-velocity command system; displays ranged from a head-down presentation of attitude and altitude to two different head-up formats that provided position and velocity information. Results of pilot evaluations of the aircraft's handling qualities, as well as measures of task performance and control power use during landing on a moving deck in visual meteorological condtions, are presented.