A piloted simulator study of the take-off manoeuvre of a large aircraft with and without a take-off director

Abstract

A piloted simulation of the take-off manoeuvre of a large aircraft has been developed to aid research into take-offdirector instruments. Records of undirected take-offs made in real flight and on the simulator have been compared, and these, as well as pilot's subjective opinions, show that the simulation was adequate for its purpose. The need for cockpit motion and visual simulation was studied briefly. Tests with one suggested form of take-off director showed that take-offs with the director were more consistent, and had increased margins of safety, compared with undirected take-offs.