Pilot Gain and the Workload Buildup Flight Test Technique: Validation of Potential Pilot Gain Measures

Abstract

The term "pilot gain" essentially describes the way the pilot acts on the inceptor during flight. It is a key aspect of handling qualities research and related flight tests. Pilots are asked to fly intentionally high or low gain and there are specific tasks associated with high gain flying - e.g. air-to-air refueling - and low gain flying - e.g. a course correction during a ferry flight. Most test organizations have their famous high and low gain pilots and the term "pilot gain" is understood very well on an intuitive level - especially when sitting in the backseat of an aircraft controlled by a high gain pilot. But in spite of all this, there is no generally accepted verbal or mathematical definition of "pilot gain". A simulator study was performed in March to July 2012; participants were 12 test pilots from the Bundeswehr Technical and Airworthiness Center for Aircraft (WTD61) and Cassidian. A second study in July-August 2012 covered 12 operational pilots from the Eurofighter squadron in Laage. The aim of this study was - among others - to find out which potential pilot gain measures are appropriate to reflect the pilots' idea of pilot gain. This report gives a comprehensive overview of the test results related to the validity of the potential pilot gain measures under evaluation.