A pilot evaluation of movable and rigid aircraft controls.

Abstract

A simulator facility employing a two-axis compensatory tracking task with a random-appearing signal was used to evaluate the performance of fifty-five pilot and non-pilot test subjects using four separate control sticks — two movable and two rigid. Pilot acceptance of the rigid cockpit controllers was determined by comparing individual pilot ratings of the sticks. In general, in both performance and opinion, the rigid systems were found to be superior to their movable counterparts. Steps were taken to avoid errors due to pilot bias, learning, adaptation, or fatigue. The results obtained are subject to several test limitations, including the low stick-force levels used, the neglect of aircraft vibration effects, and the realism of the simulation.