Pilot Task Demand Load During RNAV Approaches

The question that started this research was: “Why is approach A more difficult to fly for a pilot than approach B?”. To find an answer to this question, pilots flew a large variety of Area Navigation (RNAV) approaches during several flight simulator and real flight experiments. The results of these experiments were analyzed and resulted in seven...

A position reference system for flight test, based on GPS/IRS integration

Nowadays, several flight test organizations recognize the potential of the Navstar Global Positioning System (GPS) for flight test trajectorydetermination. In 1990 the National Aerospace Laboratory of the Netherlands (NLR) started the development of a Position Reference System (PRS) based on an Inertial Reference System (IRS), updated by GPS...

Potential applications of laser anemometry for in-flight measurements

This report concerns the application of laser anemometry for flight testing and other aircraft-related measurements. The laser anemometry technique and previous work in this field are reviewed and applications are described. A comparison of possibilities of laser anemometry with conventional techniques shows some unique advantages of laser...

DME-derived positions compared with MLS- and ILS-derived positions

From recorded Distance Measurement Equipment (DME) data during Microwave Landing System (MLS) flight trials performed at London Gatwick Airport (April 21 - 26, 1989) using the NLR Fairchild Metro II Laboratory Aircraft, the position of the aircraft was determined by post-processing and compared with the MLS- and ILS-derived positions. This...

Modifications and results of flight tests of a practice bomb adapter

The Royal Netherlands Air Force was searching for a small, light and easy to handle practice bomb rack. Initial exploratory delivery flight tests with the tandem two place Multiple Practice Bomb Adapter (MPBA), carried at the outboard wing pylons of the F-16 aircraft, did not show adverse characteristics. A report on comparable flight tests with...

Results of MLS procedural interception flight trials performed at Manchester Airport

In July, 1988, flight trials have been performed on the newly installed MLS equipment at Manchester Airport (UK), using one of the laboratory aircraft of NLR, a Fairchild Metro II with programmable avionics systems including a basic MLS receiver as an "Avionics Research Testbed". The aim of the tests was to prove that aircraft with basic IFR...

Flight testing in the Netherlands, an overview

This report gives an overview of the flight test activities and capabilities in The Netherlands. A general description of the flight test programs of the last decades with civil and military aircraft, helicopters and research aircraft will be given. Some of the highlights of the more recent programs will be presented, i.e. the type certification...

Evaluation of a method to extract performance data from dynamic maneuvers for a jet transport aircraft

A very accurate measurement system and a data reduction method have been developed to extract performance data from a single dynamic maneuver, in order to reduce the large amoimt of flight hours required for the determination of these data by means of measurements in steady flight. In order to evaluate the applicability of this method to a modem...

Measurement of radiation patterns of aircraft antennas in non-steady flight

Instationary methods in measuring radiation patterns of aircraft antennas are described.

The need of stick force stability for attitude-stabilized aircraft. Part II

A description is given of flight tests related to the effect of various levels of (artificial) positive stick force stability on the longitudinal controllability in the landing approach of an attitudestabilized aircraft. Approach performance and pilot commentary of 60 ILS/VASIS approaches flown with a twin-engined jet transport have been...

The need of stick force stability for attitude-stabilized aircraft. Part 1

After introductory background information on the landing approach piloting task and some arguments for expanding the knowledge on handling quality criteria for certain advanced transport designs, results are given of flight tests related to the effect of positive stick force stability on the longitudinal controllability in the landing approach...