In-Flight Evaluation of Four Cockpit Controller Configurations in a Variable Stability Airplane

An in-flight evaluation of four cockpit controller configurations has been made. These configurations include a conventional wheel and column, and three new concepts a circumferential wheel and column, a circumferential wheel and column with a hand grip mounted on the right hand side of the wheel segment, and a dual side arm configuration integral with the pilots seat. Evaluation was based on three tasks up-and-away cruise condition maneuvers, low level terrain following simulated at altitude, and approach, landing and takeoff. Each task was performed under conditions of different simulated static and dynamic characteristics of a B-1 type airplane, using one of CALs B-26 variable stability airplanes. Four evaluation pilots, two USAF and two CAL, flew all four controller configurations four times each through each of the three tasks. Data obtained were both qualitative and quantitative.