PILOT WORKLOAD DURING STEEP GRADIENT APPROACHES

A flight trial to evaluate different approach profiles and techniques, using a BAC VC-10, is described. Pilot's heart rates were measured which, together with subjective opinions, were used to assess levels of workload. Most of the experimental approaches and landings were flown by two test pilots though other pilots participated briefly in the trial. The types of approach investigated included single segment with gradients up to and including 6 one-half degrees, 5 degree /3 degree two-segment with an intersection height of 500ft, 5 degree/3 degree two-stage flares and 3 degree low drag approaches. Evidence is presented to show that 5 degree/3 degree two-segment approaches do not cause significantly higher heart rates than do conventional 3 degree approaches.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • AGARD Conf Proceeding, Aircraft Operating Experience and Its Impact on Safety and Survivability at the Flight Mech Panel Symposium, Sandefjord, Norway, 31 May-3 June 1976.
• Corporate Authors:

  Advisory Group Aerospace Research and Development

  7 Rue Ancelle
  92 Neuilly-sur-Seine,   France 
• Authors:
  • Roscoe, A H
• Publication Date: 1977-1

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 10 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Airline pilots; Approach; Diseases and medical conditions; Drag; Flight personnel; Heart rate; Highway grades; Personnel performance; Slopes; Workload
• Identifier Terms: British Aircraft Corporation aircraft
• Uncontrolled Terms: Pilot performance
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00172771
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Engineering Index
• Report/Paper Numbers: No. 212, Paper 25 Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 12 1978 12:00AM