PilotEd Simulation Assessment Of Minimum-Energy Transition Control Strategies

Abstract

This paper presents a piloted simulation study aimed at assessing the practicality and usability of minimum-energy conversion and reconversion trajectories and flight control system for vectored-thrust eVTOL aircraft when flown by flight-naïve operators. The investigation evaluates whether such energy-optimal profiles can be feasibly and effectively tracked using manual control, both with and without visual target command guidance. Objective performance measures based on Flight Test Manoeuvre (FTM) criteria and eye-tracking metrics, combined with subjective assessments of NASA Task Load Index and specifically designed comfort ratings, were employed to quantify task performance and cognitive workload. The results demonstrate that minimum energy transitions are generally flyable by up to untrained users, particularly when aided by the proposed target command guidance system, which yielded a 92% compliance rate with the FTM desired criteria (Level 1) handling qualities (HQ) across participant groups. The study further identifies that cognitive workload and HQ were influenced by control sensitivity variations during conversion, and by the prolonged tracking of incrementally changing target commands during reconversion. In response, design recommendations are proposed to enhance pilot usability with potential trade-offs in the fundamental energy efficiency objectives. These findings contribute to the ongoing development of pilot-autonomy interaction strategies and transition guidance systems for next-generation AAM vehicles.