Attitude display research - Canada

[barit1]

Eight years ago the National Research Council Canada began a flight research program to evaluate various attitude displays, with the human factors objective of improving situational awareness in recovery from unusual attitudes. The aircraft used was a Harvard Mk 4 , selected for its aerobatic capability, refitted with a glass display in the rear cockpit.

I became aware of this in an AW&ST (4 Aug. 2003) article, "Angle on Awareness", by David M. North. The NRC brochure on this project is http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/obj/iar-ira/doc/harvard_eng.pdf . The use of this vintage aircraft in such a research project piqued my interest.

My question: Has this research led to implementation in new/updated aircraft?

[clunckdriver]

Not at this time, but it has demonstrated to a few "modern" pilots what a ground loop is all about! Also why one doesnt slam the throttle open on a round engine, on a serious note however it would seem that with all the new/glass/afordable / non tumbling /self righting displays on the market these days the timing for this may have been a bit of, some good stuff but Garmin and the others have the market sewn up, its a long way from a good idea to bulk production.NRC have by the way purchased an Extra, might be a better platform for this work.

[barit1]

Since my Dad instructed more than a few hours in the AT-6, he'd second your comments about ground loops and rapid throttle advance!

Thanks for the feedback.

[Shawn Coyle]

NRC is one of the best kept secrets in aviation. The list of their contributions to a great number of fields is quite long.

[clunckdriver]

Shawn, I wonder how many NASCAR fans know that some of the top teams use the NRC wind tunnel to fine tune their cars? Had the plesure of spending some time with one of the top teams technical folks at the facility some time back, there is a lot more to going around the track very fast than I ever dreamed, great bunch of folks to talk to, totally dedicated to their jobs.

[Matthew Parsons]

I had a chance to fly that Harvard with a non-standard glass display, while doing manoevres that you wouldn't normally have your head in the cockpit doing.

The research they do leads to new/updated aircraft, but not necessarily directly (ie they're more about research than R&D). They identify/confirm in an airborne environment what new ideas work well and what don't. Much of their work is done for other agencies, but I'm not aware whether or not the Harvard was used in that way.

As far as using something as old as the Harvard as a research aircraft, the research is on the display software, so any aircraft that allows the desired flight envelope is a good aircraft.

[212man]

It's curious that they have reversed the speed and altitude tapes left-right compared to current convention. I wonder why that logic emerged?

Advanced Cockpit Displays - Programs - NRC-CNRC (http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/programs/iar/advanced-displays.html)

[Genghis the Engineer]

It's curious that they have reversed the speed and altitude tapes left-right compared to current convention. I wonder why that logic emerged?

Advanced Cockpit Displays - Programs - NRC-CNRC (http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/programs/iar/advanced-displays.html)


I'm guessing, but you may be looking there at just one of a range of configurations that they were altering to evaluate?

G

[John Farley]

G

I'm guessing but I guess you are correct..............

J

[helenk579]

Eight years ago the National Research Council Canada began a flight research program to evaluate various attitude displays, with the human factors objective of improving situational awareness in recovery from unusual attitudes. The aircraft used was a Harvard Mk 4 , selected for its aerobatic capability, refitted with a glass display in the rear cockpit.

I became aware of this in an AW&ST (4 Aug. 2003) article, "Angle on Awareness", by David M. North. The NRC brochure on this project is http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/obj/iar-ir...arvard_eng.pdf (http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/obj/iar-ira/doc/harvard_eng.pdf) . The use of this vintage aircraft in such a research project piqued my interest.

My question: Has this research led to implementation in new/updated aircraft?
Such a very amazing link!