Outline of research project “SUPRA” on the simulation of upset recovery

Abstract

The collaborative research project SUPRA, intends to develop methodologies and advanced flight simulator concepts for teaching airline pilots to detect, and recover from adverse flight upsets that lead to unusual attitudes. The project is funded by the EU Seventh Framework Programme, in the area of Aeronautics and Air Transport. Research activities of SUPRA include: 1) extension of two existing aerodynamic models using systematic engineering methods and actual flight tests; 2) development of advanced motion cueing algorithms; 3) definition of self-motion perception criteria specifically for upset recovery profiles, including sustained G-loads. The integrated SUPRA concept will be evaluated in four high-performance research simulators. Two simulators (GRACE at the NLR; and the PSPK-102 simulator at TsAGI) feature high fidelity civil cockpits on a Stewart platform, and are thus instrumental in answering the question if and how current level-D full flight simulators can be upgraded for adequate upset recovery training. Two other SUPRA simulators feature new generation moving bases: the Desdemona facility of AMST and TNO, and the MPS Robotic Simulator at the Max Planck Institute. The SUPRA project will investigate to what extent the unconventional large motion capabilities of both simulators are capable of simulating the extreme attitudes and G-loads relevant for successful upset recovery. The SUPRA project will run from mid 2009 to mid 2012.