Helicopter Control : a Multi - Loop Manual Control System

The human operator's performance in a high order, multiloop task, typified by the helicopter, is studied using the method of average responses. This method permits a time domain, transient input analysis. A cascade model configuration for the human operator is proposed. In this configuration, the first human operator model controls attitude. This model is identical to that of the single-loop model for the same dynamics and consists of a lead time constant of 5 seconds, a neuromuscular lag of .1 second, and a pure time delay of .28 seconds. The attitude reference for the attitude control loop is provided by a second cascade human operator model consisting of a one second lead operating on the position error. A general programming system for average response experiments, using the 3PS 290T Hybrid Computer, is described. Thesis Supervisor: Dr. Laurence R. Young Title: Assistant Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics Thesis Reviewer: Dr. Thomas B. Sheridan Title: Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering