In-flight measurement of human response characteristics.

Abstract : This paper deals with flight programs in which data have been obtained and analyzed to define the transfer characteristics of the human pilot. The first part of the paper is a general review of previous programs and data that are documented in the literature. Some of the techniques of these past programs are described. However, more in-flight data are needed, than has been obtained in the past, to more fully define the pilot in the actual flight situation. To initiate obtaining more flight data a program has recently been done in which the Air Force variable stability T-33 was used as both a ground-based simulator and an in-flight simulator. The second part of the paper discusses this current program in which pilot transfer characteristics have been obtained for the compensatory roll tracking task. Data are presented which describe the pilot in both the ground simulator and actual flight situations.