Tomoko Iijima

Method of Trajectory Generation for Perspective Flight-Path Display in Estimated Wind Condition

A method to generate a three-dimensional trajectory for a perspective flight-path display to suppress tracking errors and excessive bank angles due to steady wind was devised. The proposed method transforms an original trajectory constructed from straight and arc segments into a clothoidlike trajectory, and then it replaces the arc segments with the results of a fast-time simulation that incorporates a steady wind, which may be acquired by onboard-sensed and/or uplinked information. The offline simulation demonstrates that the modified trajectory suppresses tracking error and excessive bank angles during path-tracking flight. The piloted-flight simulation also showed not only reductions of tracking errors and bank angles but also of subjective workload. The proposed method was integrated into the onboard system of an airborne sequencing and separation assistance experiment, and the function of the modification algorithm was demonstrated using actual wind information acquired by onboard sensors and ground ...

Attention allocation in Tunnel-in-the-Sky on HUD and HDD for visual flight

A series of flight simulations was carried out to investigate the causal factors of attention capture, focusing on a traffic detection task while following a curved trajectory using a Tunnel-in-the-Sky display. Display location (head-up or head-down) and gain were selected as display parameters, and traffic detection time and path tracking performance were measured. The results showed that the HUD gave the best path tracking at the expense of traffic detection performance. The same tendency when using a magnified HDD supports the hypothesis that using a high display gain with a Tunnel-in-the-Sky displays directs much attention to the control task. The present experiment could not identify any differences that might be caused by scanning load due to the location of the display. Also, no tendency of attention capture was observed when the Tunnel-in-the-Sky display was presented on a HDD in comparison with conventional visual (compound) flight.

Development and Flight evaluation of Airborne Weather Information System

This paper describes the development of a prototype Airborne Weather Information System (AWIS) which uses a low-speed datalink, and the evaluation of its functionality and effectiveness. The AWIS is intended to provide pilots operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) with strategic weather information in real-time so as to be used as a decision-support tool for in-flight route planning and to improve flight safety. A series of flight evaluations was carried out to validate the effectiveness of the system from various human factors viewpoints. Based on the results, design guidelines for the “AWIS” were produced including communication method, system functions and display specifications, particularly considering the requirements of VFR pilots and the limitations of low-speed datalinks. Further topics of research to support weather situation awareness and in-flight decision making for VFR pilots are identified.

Flight tests with enhanced/synthetic vision system for rescue helicopter

JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) has been conducting a research project named SAVERH (Situation Awareness and Visual Enhancer for Rescue Helicopter) with Shimadzu Corporation and NEC from 2008. SAVERH aims at inventing a method of presenting suitable information to the pilot to support search and rescue missions. An integrated system comprising an HMD (Helmet-Mounted Display) and a FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) sensor were installed in a JAXA research helicopter, and a series of flight tests was conducted to evaluate the benefit of presenting FLIR images on the HMD in night flight. Three pilots evaluated the display system during six night flights, considering terrain and position awareness. The tests showed that use of FLIR gave better route tracking performance, and the effectiveness of head-slaved FLIR on an approach task was shown by subjective pilot rating.

Flight experiment of pilot display for search-and-rescue helicopter

JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), together with Shimadzu Corporation and NEC, has initiated a research project named SAVERH (Situation Awareness and Visual Enhancer for Rescue Helicopter) that aims at inventing method of presenting suitable pilot information to support helicopter search and rescue missions. As the initial stage of this research, a series of flight experiments was conducted to investigate the feasibility of operations enhanced by an E/SVS (Enhanced / Synthetic Vision System) and to clarify system issues. An integrated system comprising an HMD (Helmet Mounted Display) and a FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) sensor were installed in a JAXA research helicopter, and Tunnel-in-the-Sky symbology and a Synthetic Terrain image combined with the FLIR image were presented on the HMD and/or on a Head Down Display (HDD). Through a total of 17 flights including night flights, the potential capability of the system was demonstrated while many issues for further investigation were identified.

Development and evaluation of a new airspeed information system utilizing airborne Doppler LIDAR

We have developed a prototype of a new air speed information system leveraging the technological advance of a practical airborne Doppler Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR). The proposed system uses the LIDAR to sense wind speeds up to several tens of seconds ahead of an aircraft in real time, and uses the data to provide predictive airspeed information called L-PSPD (LIDAR-based predicted airspeed indicator) and a target approach speed called a L-TSPD (LIDAR-based target airspeed indicator) to the pilot via a newly designed cockpit display and/or directly to the autothrottle system. A series of piloted evaluations was carried out by flight simulator and flight test to verify the effectiveness of the system. The results indicate that the proposed system improved airspeed control performance and reduced workload during approaches under windshear and turbulent conditions. We obtained the advantages and disadvantages of each proposed display from subjective evaluation data and objective workload data from visual secondary task performance, electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG) and eye recorder.

Pilot workload assessment method in a new CNS/ATM environment

This paper discusses a pilot workload assessment and analysis method used in the development of NOCTARN (new operational concept using three dimensional adaptable route navigation), a concept based on three-dimensional flight trajectories shared between aircraft and air traffic control (ATC) via digital data link and negotiated using controller pilot data link communication (CPDLC). The method, named NAL-WLI, is a subjective mental workload assessment technique based on a modified NASA-TLX (task load index) that focuses on enabling the identification of factors contributing to workload and providing feedback to the NOCTARN environment system design using a scoring method that is easy for pilots. To validate the NAL-WLI method and identify factors contributing to workload in NOCTARN operations, the method was applied to piloted flight experiments using a research airplane and helicopter. Results from NAL-WLI identified factors contributing to workload and the causes of individual differences and provided information for improving the NOCTARN system design.