Automatic Rating Technique (ART) for measured flying quality ratings

This paper describes a project underway in Wright Laboratory to develop 'measured' flying qualities for the quantitative evaluation of aircraft handling qualities. Such measures are intended to augment the current qualitative and subjective Cooper-Harper ratings given by pilots. Program motivation, objectives, approach, schedule, and status are presented. Wright Laboratory is attempting to improve the reliability, efficiency, and precision of handling qualities evaluation by combining the expertise of Wright Laboratory, where flight simulators are used to collect pilot ratings, and Armstrong Laboratory, where tools to accurately measure individual psychophysiological parameters are being developed. Automation of the flying quality assessment process using measured pilot workload and measured task performance is an immediate objective. A second, longer-term goal, is the use of these technologies for adaptive aircraft controllers that respond to measured pilot states in addition to vehicle flight and structural integrity conditions. Reaching these goals involves the integration of flying qualities and flight control with physiological measurements and workload assessment. Payoff to the Air Force is an automated rating technique capability that can be used in R&D and in System Program Offices. (Author)