Demonstration of an Active Sidestick in the DLR Flying Helicopter Simulator (FHS)

Abstract

An active cyclic sidestick was successfully integrated in the DLR fly by wire Flying Helicopter Simulator (FHS) in which it was evaluated in flight with 6 pilots taking part in the test program. Tactile cueing functions to reduce pilot workload and to demonstrate operational benets were developed. These were: 1) a mast bending moment limitation, 2) a g-load limitation with cueing in the longitudinal cyclic axis, and 3) a flight guidance function for a standard rate IFR-turn. The latter 2 functions were evaluated in flight. Positive remarks were received. The flight guidance function was workload rated and showed noteworthy reductions and better situational awareness. Another topic was the evaluation of control force parameters suitable for the short pole highly versatile sidestick.