Design and Evaluation of a Haptic Aid for Training of the Manual Flare Manoeuvre

Abstract

The use of haptic feedback as a tool for skill training has shown benefits for the formation of motor-memory and support for certain temporal tasks. Therefore, this research focuses on the development of a haptic aid for supporting the training of the challenging manual flare maneuver in initial pilot training. The haptic aid, which consisted of three "off-target" haptic modes each meant to clarify a typical mistake in flare execution, was designed based on instructor actions during real flight training. The High Roundout (HR) mode was designed to better train flare timing. This haptic mode implemented an increase in pitch-up stick stiffness when still above the desired flare altitude. The Late Roundout (LR) and Ballooning (BA) modes used repeated pulses on the stick-in pitch-up and pitch-down directions, respectively-to alert trainees when they flared too late (or not at all) or when overly large pitch-up inputs that would lead to regaining altitude were given. To test the haptic aid, a quasi-transfer-of-training experiment with 16 novices was performed in a full-motion research simulator. A baseline group and a group receiving haptic feedback were compared and in the haptics group the haptic aid was used during the training phase of the experiment, but disabled in the evaluation phase. A second-stage evaluation, with an untrained landing scenario, was used to verify the generalizability of the skills. The obtained data indicates no improved learning effect regarding flare trajectory. It was found that due to the difficulty of the task, strategies based on linking the cues to desired discrete touchdown performance were formed. The usage of the HR mode, however, resulted in more consistent initiation of the flare which was retained after transfer. The second-stage evaluation also did not show worsening of flare performance, suggesting generalizability of the skills with the haptic aid.

Using Asymmetric Vibrations for Feedback on Flight Envelope Protection

“…[34] Furthermore, a re-design of the experiment setup is required to match a transfer-of-training experiment which involves a training phase (comparable to the first block in this experiment), followed by a test phase where the (haptic feedback) support is removed (comparable to the first run without haptic feedback for HFG), and a generalization run where the participants are performing a different, but comparable task, to investigate whether either a skill was learned or participants relied on a pure feedforward technique. [35] In conclusion, the experiment did not show the expected change in metrics when enabling the haptic feedback. Nevertheless, an interesting effect of the haptic feedback on learning during training is found, which should be further investigated.…”

More Haptic Aircraft

“…These findings have paved the way for further exploration into the creation of sophisticated haptic support systems capable of adjusting to a user's proficiency, thus offering tailored feedback. Deldycke et al [17] introduced a tool designed to aid in manual flare manoeuvre training. The study indicated only a marginal enhancement during the training's onset.…”