The fixed-based fixed-wing variable stability platform is based on a Ryan Navion aircraft. This is the only flying 6-DOF variable stability aircraft in the world. This aircraft includes direct lift flaps and side force generators.
This demonstration catalog is inspired by decades of experience, civilian standards, and variable stability pilot training in Calspan’s Learjet.
Each of our simulators includes a high fidelity visual system, a dynamics model of each respective aircraft, and a variety of VSS features custom programmed by flight level engineering.
These VSS features include real-time reconfigurable heads up and heads down displays, multiple programmable inceptors per axes, and a massive variable stability demonstration catalog. This catalog produced 12 variable stability helicopter flights and 12 variable stability airplane flights each lasting approximately 1.5 hours. All sorties are tightly integrated into the flying qualities, handling qualities, and modern flight controls curriculum at NTPS. This allows us to modify what the FTE and TP see, touch, and feel in real-time.