Test point procedure · Pilot procedure Acquire and hold position within the influence of the vortex for 30 seconds of stable data Engage auto-throttle velocity-hold and maintain position for 20 seconds of stable data Laterally slide out of position (away from lead a/c), engage altitude-hold and stabilize outside of vortex for 20 seconds Technique provides direct comparison of performance data in and out of vortex Use of auto-pilot and auto-throttle significantly improved maneuver and data quality Each test point was conducted in the same way. Once both aircraft were on condition, the trail aircraft maintained its position behind the lead aircraft for 30 sec. During this ime, the pilot of the trail aircraft was controlling every aspect of his aircraft, including throttles. Because of the transient nature of the vortex effects, especially with significant wing overlap, the pilots throttle movements were, in some cases, coarse and over-corrective. This problem was exacerbated when combined with a significant longitudinal distance like 190 N2T, because maintaining longitudinal separation became especially difficult when the pilots did not have a good visual (close)reference After 30 sec of stable data, the pilot engaged the auto-throttle(AtC) velocity hold and held position for another 20 sec. More often than not, the atc would have to be set a few times before the N2T closure rate was small enough to call stable. After 20 sec of stable, ATC-engaged data, the control room gave the call for'slide out, at which time the pilot of the trail aircraft maneuvered laterally out of position to the right, engaged altitude- hold, and stabilized for another 20 sec outside of the vortex. The control room then gave a test point complete call at the appropriate time Following a video of an example test point, an explanation as to why the test point procedure was set up in this way will be given BELT Autonomous Formation Flight Page 3Test Point Procedure • Pilot Procedure – Acquire and hold position within the influence of the vortex for 30 seconds of stable data – Engage auto-throttle velocity-hold and maintain position for 20 seconds of stable data – Laterally slide out of position (away from lead a/c), engage altitude-hold and stabilize outside of vortex for 20 seconds • Technique provides direct comparison of performance data in and out of vortex • Use of auto-pilot and auto-throttle significantly improved maneuver and data quality Each test point was conducted in the same way. Once both aircraft were on condition, the trail aircraft maintained its position behind the lead aircraft for 30 sec. During this time, the pilot of the trail aircraft was controlling every aspect of his aircraft, including throttles. Because of the transient nature of the vortex effects, especially with significant wing overlap, the pilot’s throttle movements were, in some cases, coarse and over-corrective. This problem was exacerbated when combined with a significant longitudinal distance like 190’ N2T, because maintaining longitudinal separation became especially difficult when the pilots did not have a good visual (close) reference. After 30 sec of stable data, the pilot engaged the auto-throttle (ATC) velocity hold and held position for another 20 sec. More often than not, the ATC would have to be set a few times before the N2T closure rate was small enough to call stable. After 20 sec of stable, ATC-engaged data, the control room gave the call for ‘slide out’, at which time the pilot of the trail aircraft maneuvered laterally out of position to the right, engaged altitude-hold, and stabilized for another 20 sec outside of the vortex. The control room then gave a ‘test point complete’ call at the appropriate time. Following a video of an example test point, an explanation as to why the test point procedure was set up in this way will be given. Page 3 Autonomous Formation Flight Program NAS4-00041 TO-104