Stall Recovery in a Centrifuge-Based Flight Simulator With an Extended Aerodynamic Model

Abstract

We investigated the performance of 12 airline pilots in recovering from an asymmetrical stall in a flight simulator featuring an extended aerodynamic model of a transport-category aircraft, and a centrifuge-based motion platform capable of generating enhanced buffet motion and g-cueing. All pilots had difficulties in applying the correct recovery template, as their initial response was to counter the wing drop rather than to unload the aircraft. Reproduction of actual g-loads led to significantly longer recoveries, more secondary stick-shaker events, lower maximum load factors, larger altitude loss, and higher speeds. It also resulted in higher workload. We conclude that the extended simulator envelope is useful for demonstrating stall characteristics of transport aircraft.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We wish to acknowledge the SUPRA consortium in developing the new simulator technologies which were essential for this study, as well as the test pilots for their validation of the SUPRA aerodynamic model and motion cueing solutions. Special thanks go to Dr. Suzanne Nooij, Dr. Mark Wentink, and Mr. Paul Bakker for their support in using the DESDEMONA simulator; Dipl.-Ing. Lars Fucke for his help in the experimental design; and finally to Mr. Matthijs Ledegang, Boeing 737 First Officer, for his help in the preparation of the experiment.

Notes

¹ Project Web site: http://www.supra.aero.

Additional information

Funding

This study was part of the European FP-7 research project SUPRA, which was funded by Grant Agreement ACP8-CT-2009–233543, running from September 1, 2009 until August 31, 2012.