A Comparative Study of eVTOL Inceptor Variations and Lessons Learned Through Human Factors Research

Abstract

Verbatim from Embry-Riddle Scholarly Commons. Not paraphrased, not summarized.

Electric vertical take-off and lift (eVTOLs) aircraft are dominating the future of Urban Air Mobility (UAM). These aircraft introduce the need for pilots to learn how to operate an aircraft that can both hover like a helicopter and fly forward similar to a fixed-wing. Engineering advancements in simplified vehicle operations, fly-by-wire, and automation technologies provide the ability to implement new pilot control systems that may be safer, more intuitive and easier for pilots to learn to operate. This has led UAM companies to consider novel types of aircraft controls. This human factors research compared five variations of dual-stick vs stick-throttle inceptors with individuals with varying flight experience (novice, fixed-wing, rotor-wing) using handling qualities task elements (HQTEs) in simulated eVTOL flight. We will discuss how flight experience influenced preference and performance between inceptor variations and lessons learned from conducting this research.

Authors

• Patel, Shivani, M.S. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Chaparro, Alex, Ph.D. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Collins, Kyle, Ph.D. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Keywords

• Urban Air Mobility
• eVTOL Inceptors
• Pilot Perception & Performance
• Human Factors
• Human Factors Psychology