The use of inverse simulation for preliminary assessment of helicopter handling qualities

Abstract

AbstractThis paper describes a method for using inverse simulation to obtain a preliminary assessment of helicopter handling qualities. Formal descriptions of standard manoeuvres, defined to establish the handling qualities of military helicopters, are used to drive an inverse simulation of a subject helicopter. The simulation generates the controls and states of the helicopter as it executes the manoeuvre and the results may be used to calculate values of quickness, a parameter defined to measure responsiveness. Initial results reveal that in the context of inverse simulation quickness is independent of vehicle configuration when, as specified in the requirements, the quickness is based on the helicopter's kinematic states. An alternative quickness parameter, associated with the control displacements required to fly the manoeuvre is shown to be capable of discriminating between the pilot workload involved in flying two different configurations through the same manoeuvre.