Flight simulator testing to enhance comprehension and modeling of rotorcraft pilot couplings

This work presents the results of a piloted flight simulator campaign aimed at measuring biomechanical performance indicators — upper limbs motion and electromiography of main muscle bundles — of pilots performing complex, realistic tasks. Ship deck landings performed by a single pilot, flying several helicopter configurations with sea conditions of increasing intensity have been considered. The analysis of the results shows an increase in muscular activity in relation with the increase in task difficulty, in agreement with subjective ratings (Bedford workload scale). The study provided useful indications to improve the corresponding biomechanical simulations, as well as to characterize pilot performance during specific tasks.