Simulator Design Features for Helicopter Shipboard Landings

The Vertical Takeoff and Landing Simulator (VTOL) at the Naval Training Systems Center's (NTSC) Visual Technology Research Simulator (VTRS) was used to study the effects of simulator design features on pilot performance in helicopter shipboard landings. The research was designed to evaluate the effects of current design features on the SH—60B Operational Flight Trainer (OFT) used to train helicopter shipboard landing and four proposed simulator design modifications. These were: (1) scene detail (SH—60B OFT scene versus an upgraded VTRS scene), (2) field-of-view (VTRS wide versus a smaller SH—60B OFT field-of-view), (3) dynamic seat cueing (on versus off), and (4) dynamic inflow (standard rotor model available in existing trainers versus an updated rotor model). These factors were tested across two levels of seastate. On the basis of the factors studied in the experiment, the wider field-of-view, the more detailed scene and the updated rotor model are recommended for use. The dynamic seat cueing evaluated in this study is not recommended at this time.