Jeffrey W. Hegg

Sidestick controllers for advanced aircraft cockpits

Utilization of sidestick controllers for pitch and roll is examined for advanced cockpit configurations for commercial transport aircraft. Specifically, information on active sidesticks which are servo coupled for dual sidestick cockpit configurations is presented. Hardware development status is presented along with results of evaluations. The sticks are coupled such that when one of them is displaced the other one will track that displacement. Autopilot or flight control inputs will cause each stick to displace, thereby providing a visual cue on how much control authority is being implemented. The autopilot can be overridden by applying pressure to the stick or pressing a disengage button on the grip. The sidesticks incorporate the following feel features: break-out forces, linear force gradients, softstop steps, and hardstops. The softstop-to-hardstop region provides a tactile cue to tile pilot that stick displacement limits are being reached and provides the capability of modifying the control laws in this region of sidestick displacement when approaching the aircraft limitations.<<ETX>>

Features of active sidestick controllers

This paper discusses the advantages of incorporating active sidesticks into a modern aircraft cockpit. Active sidestick controllers for manual pilot inputs in pitch and roll are examined for commercial transport aircraft. Options and requirements for sidesticks are reviewed. The recommendation of an active sidestick controller is developed providing both cross-cockpit coupling and autopilot backdrive capability. These characteristics provide pilot cues identical to traditional cable-linked column/yoke configurations.<<ETX>>

Hand Controllers for Telerobotics on International Space Station (ISS)

Abstract Multiple robotic manipulators on Space Station use common manual controllers for teleoperation consisting of two three degree-of freedom hand controllers. One is a Translational Hand Controller (THC) and the other is a Rotational Hand Controller (RHC). A review of the latest technologies for input devices for teleoperation is conducted. Applicability of these technologies to space based manipulators is discussed. The characteristics and parameters for the Space Station Rotational and Translational hand controllers are presented. The methodology to the approach for the Space Station hand controllers which minimizes development cost by employment of space-proven hardware of the same basic design and configuration as those on the Space Shuttle Remote Manipulator System and Right Control System is discussed. These hand controllers are incorporated on the ISS as part of the Spar RWS and also on the JEM RMS. Further operational aspects of teleoperation is discussed which permits rapid adaptation by the astronauts to unstructured tasks.