Development of mobile aircraft control system model with additive technologies

The article describes the parameter evaluation of mobile spacecraft control systems and identifies their main advantages in comparison with stationary assets. The model and the mobile spacecraft control system mock-up using additive technologies were developed with existing methods for prototyping complex technical systems. This model performs experimental operations of the prototype of the mobile control system, accompanies the spacecraft in the area of its radio visibility, simulates the implementation of technological cycles of spacecraft control, evaluates the parameters of the target equipment, analyzes the characteristics of the antenna system and the layout, conducts experiments and eliminates abnormal situations. It also optimizes the spacecraft testing based on the use of artificial intelligence techniques.

Employing a User-Centered Approach for Evaluating a VR-based Pilot Training System

Researchers took a user-centered approach to evaluate pilots’ preferences and perceptions of training with an innovative VR-based immersive training device (ITD). Over the course of one week, usability and user experience data were gathered from U.S. Air Force instructor pilots (IPs), unqualified instructor pilots (UIs),and student pilots (SP). Coming from various squadrons, these pilots provided feedback regarding their interactions with the ITDs. A think-aloud protocol, observations, and surveys were used to capture participants’ perceptions of the different hardware variants using the following usability metrics: fit and feel, function, and sustained and future use. At this stage of the development, various configurations of the ITDs were evaluated to determine which technological components should be included in the final design. The data presented here focused on one of those components, the aircraft control or center stick. The results for the stick component will be discussed as a use case as it illustrates the user-centered approach and data analysis strategy that captured and identified noteworthy differences in perceived training value.

Design and development of a backstepping controller autopilot for fixed-wing UAVs

Backstepping represents a promising control law for fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Its non-linearity and its adaptation capabilities guarantee adequate control performance over the whole flight envelope, even when the aircraft model is affected by parametric uncertainties. In the literature, several works apply backstepping controllers to various aspects of fixed-wing UAV flight. Unfortunately, many of them have not been implemented in a real-time controller, and only few attempt simultaneous longitudinal and lateral–directional aircraft control. In this paper, an existing backstepping approach able to control longitudinal and lateral–directional motions is adapted for the definition of a control strategy suitable for small UAV autopilots. Rapidly changing inner-loop variables are controlled with non-adaptive backstepping, while slower outer loop navigation variables are Proportional–Integral–Derivative (PID) controlled. The controller is evaluated through numerical simulations for two very diverse fixed-wing aircraft performing complex manoeuvres. The controller behaviour with model parametric uncertainties or in presence of noise is also tested. The performance results of a real-time implementation on a microcontroller are evaluated through hardware-in-the-loop simulation.

Data Processing in the Pilot Training Process on the Integrated Aircraft Simulator

Flight safety is an integral part of air transportation. Flight accidents are highly unlikely to appear but most of them are caused by the human factor. The aircrew training system for abnormal operations relies on integrated aircraft simulator-based exercises. Crew needs to be trained not to degrade piloting technique quality when facing increased psychophysiological tension. Therefore, methods evaluating the characteristics of ergatic aircraft control systems, warning systems for deterioration due to failures in avionics systems, piloting technique quality, and abnormal operation algorithms are necessary. An analysis of the bank angle has revealed that there are hidden increased tension manifestations in the human operator expressed in the transition of the flight parameter variation from a stationary random process to deterministic fluctuations in the form of a sinusoid. The goal of the research is to increase the efficiency of pilots’ training using integrated aircraft simulators based on the design and implementation of statistical data processing algorithms. To achieve the goal of the research, two algorithms for detecting deterministic fluctuations based on the Neyman-Pearson criterion and the optimal Bayesian criterion are developed. The presented algorithms can be used in the integrated simulator software to automate the decision-making process on piloting quality.