Effect of Feel System Characteristics on Pilot Model Parameters

The paper presents recent experimental data on the effect of control manipulator feel system characteristics, such as force gradient and damping, on pilot model parameters. The analysis of the effect is conducted on the basis of limb-manipulator transfer functions identified in compensatory roll tracking task. The analysis shows that force gradient variation affects neuromuscular transfer function, demonstrating adaptation of pilot to manipulator force variation. Due to the adaptation, the limb-manipulator cutoff frequency remains constant within the force gradients assessed by the pilots as optimum. The feel system damping does not demonstrate any noticeable effect on limb-manipulator transfer function, and does not affect pilot ratings within the wide range of the characteristic variation.