Motion cueing optimisation applied to rotorcraft flight simulation

Achieving good motion cueing in rotorcraft flight simulation is a long-standing challenge in the simulation community. The current reliance upon subjective opinion leads to a wide range of motion configurations, which almost certainly do not offer the optimal level of vestibular cueing. Furthermore, without the understanding of the optimal motion settings, objective criteria are difficult to apply. This paper presents a new method designed to optimise and evaluate the response of any motion platform, based upon the input to the system and the given motion system constraints. The method is utilised to tune the motion platform of the air vehicle simulator. Results show promise for the use of the optimisation, as good fidelity is shown through pilot subjective comments and ratings.