Evaluation of the Phase-Aggression Criterion for PIO Detection in Real-Time

This paper presents the results of a pilot-in-the-loop experiment performed to investigate the efficacy of a pilot-induced oscillation (PIO) or adverse rotorcraft-pilot coupling (RPC) real-time detection method, to be implemented as an in-cockpit warning system. A test pilot performed a number of simulated flights inside the Heliflight-R simulator at the University of Liverpool. Two handling qualities (HQ) mission task element (MTE) maneuvers were chosen, namely Precision Hover and Lateral Reposition. The baseline dynamics were those of a FLIGHTLAB BO105-like helicopter model, as used in previous tests; changes in rate limits were introduced to induce the pilot-vehicle system (PVS) to be more RPC/PIO prone, and to observe pilot's adaptation to these variations causing system instabilities during the chosen MTEs. To objectively measure the severity of the PIO encountered during the tests, the Phase-Aggression Criterion (PAC) has been used. This method has been developed to allow for real-time PIO detection in order to provide the information inside the cockpit. In addition, pilot subjective ratings were collected, by using the HQs, PIO and Pilot Workload rating scales. Overall, the results show a good correlation between objective and subjective evaluations, and that it is possible to detect PIOs in real-time. The information can be provided to the pilot by means of visual, aural or haptic cues, which is the work the authors are currently carrying out.