Flight technical error analysis of the SATS higher volume operations simulation and flight experiments

This paper provides an analysis of flight technical error (FTE) from recent SATS experiments, called the higher volume operations (HVO) simulation and flight experiments, which NASA conducted to determine pilot acceptability of the HVO concept for normal operating conditions. Reported are FTE results from simulation and flight experiment data indicating the SATS HVO concept is viable and acceptable to low-time instrument rated pilots when compared with today's system (Baseline). Described is the comparative FTE analysis of lateral, vertical, and airspeed deviations from the Baseline and SATS HVO experimental flight procedures. Based on FTE analysis, all evaluation subjects, low-time instrument-rated pilots, flew the HVO procedures safely and proficiently in comparison to today's system (Baseline). In all cases, the results of the flight experiment validated the results of the simulation experiment and confirm the utility of the simulation platform for comparative human in the loop (HITL) studies of SATS HVO and Baseline operations.