Simulator Study on Pilot Performance in Different Takeoff Procedure Scenarios

Abstract

This paper deals with different takeoff procedures of gyrocopter. Most common takeoff procedures for current gyrocopter are very similar to those of airplanes. Nevertheless, there are distinct differences in performing a takeoff with an airplane in contrast to a conventional gyrocopter. A further takeoff procedure highlighted in this work is the vertical takeoff of the gyrocopter, the so called jump takeoff procedure. To compare the two takeoff procedures with respect to pilot’s behavior and performance the unique gyrocopter simulator at the Institute of Flight Systems is used for an extensive pilot-in-the-loop simulator study. Three groups of participants were invited to the experiment: fixed wing pilots, gyrocopter pilots and unexpe-rienced persons without any pilot license. Each participant got the task to perform a series of takeoffs at different wind conditions using the conventional takeoff procedure and the jump takeoff procedure. During the experiment the participant’s interaction with the simulator as well as their eye movements were logged. During each experiment the participants had to fill in a questionnaire on subjective pilot ratings. The paper presents a short theoretical introduction on gyrocopter technology and explains the two takeoff procedures as well as their particularities, advantages and challenges. Furthermore the experiment on the two takeoff procedures and the results of the comparison of the both takeoff procedures are shown.