In-Flight Test Campaign to Validate PIO Detection and Assessment Tools

This paper describes a joint research campaign conducted by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the National Research Council Canada (NRC) to explore methods and techniques to expose rotorcraft Pilot-Induced Oscillations (PIOs) during flight testing. A flight test campaign was conducted at NRC using the Bell 205 experimental aircraft. Results show that, particularly for the lateral axis, ADS-33 tasks can be successfully applied to expose PIO tendencies. Novel subjective and objective criteria were used during the test campaign. PIO prediction boundaries of the objective phase-aggression criteria (PAC) detection algorithm were validated through results obtained. This was the first use of PAC with data recorded in-flight. To collect subjective feedback, the Aircraft Pilot Coupling (APC) scale was used. This was the first use of the novel scale in-flight and received favourable feedback from the evaluation pilot. Modifications to ADS-33 mission tasks were found to successfully improve the ability to consistently expose PIOs

Impact of Turbulence and Degraded Visual Environment on Pilot Workload

Offshore-Helicopter-Operations are frequently conducted in both turbulent and degraded visual environ-ments (DVE). This investigation assesses the combined influence of turbulence and DVEs on pilot workload to identify first limits for safe operations. Flight tests using a simulation model of the research helicopter ACT/FHS (Active Control Technology/Flying Helicopter Simulator) flight mechanics model were conducted in the Air Vehicle Simulator (AVES) at DLR Braunschweig. Tests were completed using four pilots, and results show the effects on pilot workload, task performance and control input activity. It was found that DVE and turbulence increase the workload and reduce task performance, but each in a different manner. Fur-thermore, the impact on control activity and pilot induced oscillation tendencies are shown to have depend-ency upon the environmental conditions

In-Flight Test Campaign to Validate PIO Detection and Assessment Tools

This paper describes a joint research campaign conducted by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the National Research Council Canada (NRC) to explore methods and techniques to expose rotorcraft Pilot-Induced Oscillations (PIOs) during flight testing. A flight test campaign was conducted at NRC using the Bell 205 experimental aircraft. Particularly for the lateral axis, ADS-33 tasks can be successfully applied to expose PIO tendencies. Novel subjective and objective criteria were used during the test campaign. PIO prediction boundaries of the objective phase-aggression critieria (PAC) detection algorithm were validated through results obtained. This was the first use of PAC with data recorded in-flight. To collect subjective feedback, the aircraft pilot coupling (APC) scale was used. This was the first use of the novel scale in-flight and received favorable feedback from the evaluation pilot. Modifications to ADS-33 mission tasks were found to successfully improve the ability to consistently expose PIOs

Evaluation of Rotorcraft Pilot Induced Oscillations (PIO): Results from a DLR/NRC Collaborative Project

Pilot-induced oscillations (PIOs) still pose a significant risk to safety of rotorcraft operations, particularly as no formal evaluations are conducted during test and evaluation programs. Usually during experimental flight testing if PIOs are observed, additional testing and evaluations are conducted. This paper details results from a joint research effort undertaken by researchers at the National Research Center Canada (NRC) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to investigate and test novel methods and techniques to assess PIOs occurring in rotorcraft. The efforts included modifications to test processes and the use of PIO detection and prediction criteria. The research was conducted using both a ground-based simulation facility and a research helicopter. Results of the campaign showed the suitability of a novel subjective assessment scale and a PIO detection algorithm. This was confirmed through both objective and subjective assessment. Furthermore, modifications to ADS-33 mission task elements were also considered to improve the applicability to testing for PIOs

myCopter – Enabling Technologies for Personal Aerial Transportation Systems

Current road transportation systems throughout the European Union suffer from severe congestion problems. A solution can be to move towards a Personal Aerial Transportation System, in which vehicles would also have vertical space at their disposal. In the myCopter project, funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme, the viability of such a system will be investigated. It is argued that this should be done by taking into account the required operational infrastructure, instead of starting with the design of a vehicle. By investigating human-machine interfaces and training, automation technologies, and socio-economic impact, the myCopter project aims to provide a basis for a transportation system based on Personal Aerial Vehicles. In this paper, an outline of the project is given. Early research results are detailed and provide a basis for the remainder of the project

The interplay of viral loads, clinical presentation, and serological responses in SARS-CoV-2 – Results from a prospective cohort of outpatient COVID-19 cases

Puchinger K, Castelletti N, Rubio-Acero R, et al. The interplay of viral loads, clinical presentation, and serological responses in SARS-CoV-2 – Results from a prospective cohort of outpatient COVID-19 cases. Virology. 2022;569:37-43

The representative COVID-19 cohort Munich (KoCo19): from the beginning of the pandemic to the Delta virus variant

Le Gleut R, Plank M, Pütz P, et al. The representative COVID-19 cohort Munich (KoCo19): from the beginning of the pandemic to the Delta virus variant. BMC Infectious Diseases. 2023;23(1): 466.**Background** Population-based serological studies allow to estimate prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infections despite a substantial number of mild or asymptomatic disease courses. This became even more relevant for decision making after vaccination started. The KoCo19 cohort tracks the pandemic progress in the Munich general population for over two years, setting it apart in Europe. **Methods** Recruitment occurred during the initial pandemic wave, including 5313 participants above 13 years from private households in Munich. Four follow-ups were held at crucial times of the pandemic, with response rates of at least 70%. Participants filled questionnaires on socio-demographics and potential risk factors of infection. From Follow-up 2, information on SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was added. SARS-CoV-2 antibody status was measured using the Roche Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 anti-N assay (indicating previous infection) and the Roche Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 anti-S assay (indicating previous infection and/or vaccination). This allowed us to distinguish between sources of acquired antibodies. **Results** The SARS-CoV-2 estimated cumulative sero-prevalence increased from 1.6% (1.1-2.1%) in May 2020 to 14.5% (12.7-16.2%) in November 2021. Underreporting with respect to official numbers fluctuated with testing policies and capacities, becoming a factor of more than two during the second half of 2021. Simultaneously, the vaccination campaign against the SARS-CoV-2 virus increased the percentage of the Munich population having antibodies, with 86.8% (85.5-87.9%) having developed anti-S and/or anti-N in November 2021. Incidence rates for infections after (BTI) and without previous vaccination (INS) differed (ratio INS/BTI of 2.1, 0.7-3.6). However, the prevalence of infections was higher in the non-vaccinated population than in the vaccinated one. Considering the whole follow-up time, being born outside Germany, working in a high-risk job and living area per inhabitant were identified as risk factors for infection, while other socio-demographic and health-related variables were not. Although we obtained significant within-household clustering of SARS-CoV-2 cases, no further geospatial clustering was found. **Conclusions** Vaccination increased the coverage of the Munich population presenting SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, but breakthrough infections contribute to community spread. As underreporting stays relevant over time, infections can go undetected, so non-pharmaceutical measures are crucial, particularly for highly contagious strains like Omicron