Do Army helicopter training simulators need motion bases? /

This report reviews the arguments and the evidence regarding the need for simulator motion bases in training helicopter pilots. It discusses flight simulators, perceptual fidelity, history of motion bases, disturbance versus maneuver motion, human motion sensation, and reviews the empirical evidence...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author:	McCauley, Michael E.
Corporate Authors:	Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Department of Operations Research and Administrative Sciences, U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences. Rotary-Wing Aviation Research Unit
Format:	Government Document eBook
Language:	English
Published:	Fort Rucker, AL : Rotary-Wing Aviation Research Unit, U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences, [2006]
Series:	Technical report (U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences) ; 1176.
Subjects:	United States. > Army > Training of. Helicopter pilots > Training of > United States. Helicopter flight simulators > United States. Military Aircraft Operations. Helicopters. Flight simulators. Flight simulation. Vibration. Flight training. Training devices. Army training. Attack aircraft. Senses(physiology) Transfer of training. Information processing. Army aircraft. Perception. Control theory. Maneuvers. Military equipment. Operational effectiveness. Commercial aviation. Reliability. HELICOPTER SIMULATORS PERCEPTUAL CONTROL THEORY SIMULATOR MOTION PE62278A WUARIA790680231
Online Access:	http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA444549 https://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/LPS94002

Description
Summary:	This report reviews the arguments and the evidence regarding the need for simulator motion bases in training helicopter pilots. It discusses flight simulators, perceptual fidelity, history of motion bases, disturbance versus maneuver motion, human motion sensation, and reviews the empirical evidence for the training effectiveness of motion bases. The section on training effectiveness reviews research from relevant sources, including: Military helicopter, military transport, commercial airlines, general aviation, fighter, and attack aircraft. In addition the author describes a Perceptual Control Theory approach to determining the information requirements for simulator-based training. The author concludes that there is a substantial body of data to support the training effectiveness of flight simulation in general; that there is virtually no evidence to support the training effectiveness of motion platforms; that motion contributes to in-simulator performance, particularly for experienced pilots; that motion cues may be beneficial for flight training in unstable aircraft and in tasks involving disturbance cues, although the evidence is weak; and that motion, noise, and vibration contribute to the realism of the simulation and, therefore, strongly influence the acceptance of a simulator by the pilot community. There is no reliable evidence that a motion base prevents simulator sickness. Instructional design is more important than physical fidelity for training effectiveness.
Item Description:	Title from title screen (viewed on May 7, 2008). "February 2006." "Army Project Number 622785A790." "Personnel Performance and Training Technology." Electronic resource.
Physical Description:	vii, 42 pages : digital, PDF file.
Format:	Mode of access: Internet from the U.S. Army Research Institute web site. Address as of 05/07/08: http://www.hqda.army.mil/ari/pdf/TR1176.pdf ; current access available via PURL.
Bibliography:	Includes bibliographical references (pages 35-42).
Access:	Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.