Exploration of Simulator Sickness in the MH-60G Operational Flight Trainer, AnAdvanced Wide Field-of-View Helicopter Trainer

摘要

A simulator sickness research effort was undertaken as an important addition tothe Qualification Operational Test and Evaluation (QOTE) for the MH/60G Operational Flight Trainer (OFT). The primary impetus for the experiment was the configuration of the device (wide field of view and limited motion) and pilot reports of simulator sickness symptoms during device development. The authors assessed (a) post-flight simulator sickness symptoms, (b)prolonged simulator sickness symptoms, and (c) the effects of simulator sickness on the training provided in the MH/60G OFT. Despite limitations of the experimental design and the small sample size, some interesting trends were found. Post-flight simulator sickness symptoms occurred across all types of missions, with greater frequency on more visually dependent scenarios. Only two crewmembers did not report any symptoms. Pilots consistently changed control inputs to lessen the effects of simulator sickness symptoms. Finally, the occurrence of prolonged simulator sickness symptoms was comparatively infrequent. The authors concluded that increased attention must be channeled toward simulator sickness to better understand its origins and effects on training.