In-Flight Investigation of the B-1 Flight Control System.

An in-flight simulation and evaluation of variations in the B-1 flight control system based on fixed-operating-point characteristics was conducted using the USAF Total In-Flight Simulator TIFS. Four primary variations of the flight control system, including SDAS Stability and Control Augmentation System on and off, and two values of the pitch force gradient were investigated for three flight conditions. These flight conditions were Powered Approach, Air Refueling and Terrain FollowingTerrain Avoidance. The capability of the TIFS to simulate these flight correlations was clearly demonstrated. This program was the first on TIFS to utilize velocity mismatch simulation techniques which were required for the air refueling and terrain following tasks. This new in-flight simulation technique allows the evaluation pilot to experience appropriate linear and angular accelerations motion cues although the TIFS airplane is not at the initial trim velocity of the model airplane. For this program the TIFS simulation cockpit controls were modified to simulate the center stick and left hand throttle quadrant of the B-1 cickpit. The evaluation procedure utilized tasks appropriate to the respective missions investigated. Five pilots performed a total of 36 evaluations.