Accession Number:

ADB006191

Title:

Tracking Test Techniques for Handling Qualities Evaluation

Descriptive Note:

Final rept.

Corporate Author:

AIR FORCE TEST CENTER EDWARDS AFB CA

Personal Author(s):

• Twisdale, Thomas R.
• Franklin, David L.

Report Date:

1975-04-01

Pagination or Media Count:

88.0

Abstract:

Flight tests were conducted and techniques developed for evaluating the handling qualities of an aircraft using combat-oriented air-to-air tracking maneuvers. This technique involves precision tracking of a target aircraft through wind-up turn and constant angle of attack turn maneuvers. The gun camera film of these maneuvers was analyzed for characteristic pipper motion relative to the target and tracking errors in the longitudinal and lateral-directional axes. Correlation of these data with pilot comments provides a means of evaluating the acceptability of aircraft stability and handling qualities in the maneuver environment for which the aircraft was designed. The TWeaD II F-4, which incorporated a variable gain control augmentation system CAS, was used in the flight development of these tracking test techniques. With the CAS, three levels of handling qualities, ranging from good to unaugmented poor were evaluated in pitch, roll, yaw, and the combination roll and yaw axes. These handling qualities levels were successfully correlated with pipper motion, tracking error, and pilot rating and comments to the extent that acceptable handling qualities were distinguished from unacceptable handling qualities, and deficiencies were discovered and isolated. Tracking test techniques proved to be a powerful tool for optimizing the TWeaD II flight control system in an in- flight environment.

Descriptors:

• *FLIGHT MANEUVERS
• *TRACKING
• ACCEPTABILITY
• AERIAL CAMERAS
• AERIAL TARGETS
• AERIAL WARFARE
• AERODYNAMIC STABILITY
• AIR TO AIR
• AIR TO SURFACE
• ANGLE OF ATTACK
• AUGMENTATION
• CONTROL
• DIVE BOMBING
• DYNAMIC RESPONSE
• ERRORS
• FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS
• FLIGHT TESTING
• GAIN
• HANDLING
• HUMAN FACTORS ENGINEERING
• JET FIGHTERS
• MAN MACHINE SYSTEMS
• MANEUVERABILITY
• MOVING TARGETS
• PILOTS
• PITCH(MOTION)
• PRECISION
• ROLL
• SUBSONIC CHARACTERISTICS
• TURNING FLIGHT
• YAW

Subject Categories:

• Test Facilities, Equipment and Methods
• Human Factors Engineering and Man Machine Systems

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE