Integrated design of flight simulator motion cueing systems

Abstract

Abstract An advanced design process applicable to the specification of flight simulator cueing systems is presented in this paper. This process is based on the analysis of the pilot-vehicle control loop by using a pilot model incorporating both visual and vestibular feedback, and the aircraft dynamics. After substituting the model for the simulated aircraft, the analysis tools are used to adjust the washout filter parameters with the goal of restoring pilot control behaviour. This process allows the specification of the motion cueing algorithm. Then, based on flight files representative of the operational flight envelope, the required motion system space is determined. The motion-base geometry is established based on practical limitations, as well as criteria for the stability of the platform with respect to singular conditions. With this process the characteristics of the aircraft, the tasks to be simulated, and the missions themselves are taken into account in defining the simulator motion cueing system.