NASA research pilots are experts in how to achieve the right flight test conditions for their experiments and the tools needed to successfully complete their missions. With their expertise, pilots can help researchers learn how aircraft can fly innovations, save time and money, and increase the innovation’s readiness for use at the same time. .
NASA pilots demonstrated that researchers modeled, simulated, and demonstrated functionality in flight as well as ground tests during a flight idea workshop held at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research on Sept. 18. He detailed how it can help researchers find the right fit for experiments that otherwise might not be able to proceed. Center in Edwards, California. “Start the conversation early and make sure you have the right people in the conversation,” said Tim Krall, NASA Armstrong Flight Operations Engineer. “What we’re improving on is getting pilots involved in flight projects early so they can leverage their experience and knowledge.”
Flight research is often used to prove or improve computer models, try new systems, or improve the responsiveness of technology. In some cases, pilots may direct research projects involving experimental aircraft. For example, the pilot plays a vital role in the X-59 aircraft. The X-59 aircraft flies faster than the speed of sound, producing a quiet bang rather than a loud bang. In the future, NASA pilots will fly the X-59 over parts of the United States to collect data on how people on the ground perceive impact sounds. NASA will provide this information to regulators, potentially changing regulations that currently prohibit commercial supersonic flights over land.
“We’ve been involved in the requirements and design process for the X-59 aircraft since before it became an X-plane,” said Nils Larsson, NASA’s chief X-59 aircraft pilot and senior advisor for flight research. says Mr. “I was part of the preformulation team and the formulation team. I also participated in the research study and brought in NASA pilot Jim Less for a second opinion. We had F-15 and F-18 I had flown missions before, so I knew the types of systems, such as autopilot, that were needed to get repeatability and accuracy of the data.”
The experience of NASA pilots provides guidance that allows for a wide range of flight experiments. In many cases, researchers have ideas about how to obtain the flight data they need, but in some cases, such as flying a DC-8 upside down, there are limits to what the aircraft can do while providing appropriate Larson explains that sometimes manipulation is necessary. Mitigation, training, and recognition could potentially simulate these situations.
Less says he has developed an approach that helps researchers focus. Although much of what we do is routine, there is always some level of risk involved when going out and flying. We don’t want to risk pursuing data that no one needs, that doesn’t serve a purpose, or that isn’t of high quality. ”
Justin Hall, chief pilot at NASA Armstrong Subscale Aircraft Laboratory, said remotely piloted aircraft can be advantageous in achieving NASA’s research priorities. “We can do things faster and at a lower cost, and subscale labs offer unique opportunities. Sometimes engineers come to us with ideas and we help design and integrate experiments. You can also build and fly aircraft.
Most survey flights are straight and level, similar to driving a car on a highway. However, there are exceptions. “The more interesting flights require maneuvers to obtain the data that researchers are looking for,” Ress said. “We attached a pod with a landing radar to Mars on an F/A-18. They wanted to use the plane to simulate Mars re-entry. We went up high and landed on the ground. I jumped straight towards it.”
Another F/A-18 experiment tested the flight control software of the Space Launch System rocket for the Artemis mission. “The rocket takes off vertically and has to tilt more than 90 degrees,” Les explained. “You can’t do that completely on the F-18, but you can start at about a 45-degree angle and then push the 45-degree nose low to simulate the entire turn. We have One of the fun parts of the job is figuring out how to use the tools to get the data you need.”
