Review of flight simulation fidelity requirements to help reduce ‘rotorcraft loss of control in‑flight’ accident rates

Date

2021-08-21

Free to read from

Supervisor/s

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Springer

Department

Type

Article

ISSN

1869-5582

Format

Citation

White MD, Padfield GD, Lu L, et al., (2021) Review of flight simulation fidelity requirements to help reduce ‘rotorcraft loss of control in‑flight’ accident rates. CEAS Aeronautical Journal, Volume 12, Issue 4, November 2021, pp. 701–721

Abstract

This paper examines the fidelity requirements for flight simulators to improve training and address the problems associated with rotorcraft loss of control in-flight (LOC-I). To set the context, trends in rotorcraft accident statistics are presented. The data show that, despite recent safety initiatives, LOC-I rotorcraft accidents have been identified as a significant and growing contribution to accident rates. In the late 1990s, the fixed-wing commercial aircraft community faced a similar situation relating to upset prevention and recovery, and through a coordinated international effort, developed a focussed training programme to reduce accident rates. Lessons learned from the fixed-wing programme are presented to highlight how improved rotorcraft modelling and simulation tools are required to reduce rotorcraft accidents through higher quality, simulator-based training programmes. Relevant flight simulator certification standards are reviewed, with an emphasis on flight-model fidelity and vestibular motion cueing requirements. The findings from rotorcraft modelling and motion cueing research, that highlight relevant fidelity issues, are presented to identify areas for further activities to enhance the fidelity of simulators standards for use in LOC-I prevention training.

Description

Software Description

Software Language

Github

Keywords

Helicopter/rotorcraft, Loss of control in-flight, Simulator fidelity, Motion cueing

DOI

Rights

Attribution 4.0 International

Relationships

Relationships

Supplements

Funder/s