NASA Ames' SimLabs consists of the Vertical Motion Simulator (VMS), the Crew-Vehicle Systems Research Facility (CVSRF) and FutureFlight Central (FFC). Together, these facilities supported numerous Aeronautics experiments as well as experiments for outside customers investigating a diverse array of human-piloted vehicles and systems, including rotorcraft and a lunar lander.
Interior of the Advanced Concepts Flight Simulator
A major upgrade of the SimLabs capabilities was successfully completed in 2011; following several years of effort with funding from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the SimLabs team integrated a Boeing 737-800W model into the Advanced Concepts Flight Simulator (ACFS) at the CVSRF. The integration was completed just in time for the last Efficient Descent Advisor (EDA) simulation, which utilized both the ACFS and the B747-400 cab.
Interior of the B747 simulator
Another significant simulation performed using the B747-400 was a study of pilot responses to critical events. In February 2012, researchers in the Ames Human Systems Integration Division completed a simulation study of airline pilot readiness to respond to critical events such as stalls, wind shear, engine, and instrumentation failures. This study, performed as part of NASA's Vehicle Systems Safety Technologies (VSST) effort, included twenty certified commercial pilots from three major United States carriers. During the study, each pilot flew a 2.5-hour mission and experienced thirteen abnormal events. The goal was to study pilots' responses to these events when they were presented in natural and unexpected ways, outside of a typical airline training event in which maneuvers are practiced from a script that is known to pilots in advance. The results will be published in a scientific journal, and they will be used to recommend changes in the way these events are taught and practiced during airline training events.
Shakedown simulation of SARDA
FFC hosted a major simulation in May 2012, testing the Spot and Runway Departure Advisor (SARDA), a significant component of airport surface scheduling research under the Airspace Systems Program. Six retired Dallas/Fort Worth (TX) tower controllers participated in the three-week simulation using Dallas/Fort Worth East tower traffic scenarios. The simulation measured efficiency, throughput, and predictability as well as impact upon controller workload and situation awareness.
The OBVA installation
Working in partnership with the Exploration Technology Directorate at Ames and the Air Force Research Laboratory (Mesa, AZ) under a reimbursable space act agreement, the SimLabs team completed the development, testing, and installation of the US Air Force Operational Based Vision Assessment (OBVA) simulator at Wright Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), OH. The OBVA concept aims to correlate clinical vision standards to aircrew operational performance, to help determine the correct level of vision standards and the associated operational risks. The OBVA simulator includes a fighter-type cockpit and a wide field-of-view high-resolution visual display system that provides the equivalent of 20/10 visual acuity using 12 state-of-the-art projectors. The simulator was entirely conceived, developed, fabricated, and installed by NASA Ames personnel. The simulator was installed in a special OBVA facility at WPAFB and will be used for Air Force vision research. The installation was successfully completed and formally accepted by the US Air Force in October 2012.
Cockpit used for the SimOpt experiment
Three major studies utilized the unique capabilities of the VMS. In June 2012, a Simulation Optimization (SimOpt) experiment used the GenHel math model of a UH60A Blackhawk helicopter to investigate how the VMS motion and visual cueing dynamics can be optimized to recreate in-flight cues as closely as possible. Three weeks of simulations were performed with five experienced helicopter pilots, performing 488 maneuvers (bob-up, precision hover, and sidestep tasks). Initial results demonstrated that the handling quality ratings from the VMS are similar to those from flight.
Left, Apollo Lunar Exploration Module (LEM); Right, Head Down Display showing LEM with respect to landing site two overlaid on topographical map with yellow fuel contour reference lines
Also in June 2012, the first phase of the Supervisory Control of a Lunar Lander (SCoLL) experiment used a simulation of an Apollo-like Lunar Exploration Module (LEM) to measure the effect of various levels of automation on pilot performance for a Lunar landing task. The research goal was to evaluate pilots' supervisory control performance of landing on the Lunar surface as they adapt to spacecraft failures, secondary tasks, and different spacecraft control modes. The simulation ran for two weeks with eight participants performing 642 simulated Lunar landings. Initial results showed that the increased level of automation can significantly reduce pilot workload resulting in faster pilot response times. The Exploration Technology Directorate at NASA Ames conducted the study in collaboration with Draper Laboratory and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
UH-60 Blackhawk taxiing to the hangar after SFR testing
A program to test a new flight Simulator Fidelity Rating (SFR) scale developed by the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom, was also tested in the VMS in collaboration with the Ames Army Aeroflightdynamics Directorate (AFDD). The test objective was to evaluate the SFR scale testing procedures for use on an engineering simulator. Two experienced Army pilots performed slalom and vertical bob-up maneuvers in an Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter at Moffett Field. The pilots then immediately flew the same maneuvers on a simulated UH-60 in the VMS and used the SFR scale to compare their performance between simulation and flight. The initial findings from the test show that the SFR scale could be useful as an engineering fidelity rating scale with some changes to the testing procedures.
Visitors at the VMS booth during the Shuttle Endeavour flyover event
On September 19, 2012, the VMS was showcased during a Media Day as a precursor to the Endeavour shuttle flyover at NASA Ames, and focused on Ames' contributions to the Space Shuttle Program of which the VMS played a large role in shuttle pilot training during the 30+ years of the Space Shuttle Program. The VMS hosted seven press groups from the BBC and local San Francisco Bay Area TV stations KPIX and KRON, the San Jose State University (SJSU) Update News, Alameda (CA) Sun, and KGO (San Francisco) radio. The press groups toured the VMS facility's stationary and motion demonstrations. SimLabs also subsequently hosted a display and information booth for the general public during the Shuttle Endeavour Flyover event on September 21. Thousands of visitors viewed the VMS booth, which was equipped with a 3D scale model of the VMS, several monitors playing VMS-related videos, and a shuttle model. SimLabs' very own astronaut, Col. (retired) Karol “Bo” Bobko, now an SAIC program manager, was on hand to answer visitor questions about human space flight. Over 25 SimLabs volunteers staffed the booth during the event.
SimLabs staff received a number of awards and recognition in fiscal year 2012, including NASA Honor Awards in Outstanding Public Leadership for Dr. Ronald Lehmer (SAIC), and Group/Team Awards for the Boeing 737-800W Aircraft Model Integration Team and the CAPIO (Control Allocation to recover from Pilot Induced Oscillation) Simulation Team. In December 2011, Nghia Vuong received a NASA@Work Challenge award for his response to the Lunar Regolith Tolerant Valve problem. Ames Honor Awards were also announced for Mr. Girish Chachad (SAIC) and the Spot and Runway Departure Advisor Simulation Team, which had a number of SimLabs team members.
