Participated in my first NASA GA research project (long)

"Peter R." wrote in message


At first I was concerned that this 757 cockpit would be too much of a
distraction, but incredibly it only took a couple of practice flights
to get the feeling I was flying a Cessna 206. The airline yoke felt
amazingly like the responsiveness of a Cessna yoke, thanks to some
excellent reprogramming of the simulator.

I thought the same thing, too. I spent the first few minutes in the sim
trying to figure out if I could squeeze it into my garage or if I'd have to
build out a room in the basement...

During the practice flights, the CFII had me perform some basic air
and VFR pattern work,

You should have seen my face when he asked me to turn *into* the mountain.
"Um, that hill's pretty close. You sure we can make the turn?" "Yes, I want
you familiar with what the terrain looks like in the sim and if you don't
turn soon you *won't* make it."

The researcher told me that in that scenario the aircraft should have
broken out at minimums and that I should have seen the runway to
complete a landing. I again informed him that I didn't see it.
Because this was only a practice flight, he and the CFII agreed that
they would run the ILS approach again, but this time I was to look
much harder for the runway.

hmph. Right.

At the end of each scenario, the researcher would ask me some
questions about other traffic calls I overheard on the simulated ATC
radio (presumably to gauge my workload). He then would hand me a
tablet PC to answer 15 questions about my impressions of workload,
comfort level, etc. during the flight scenario.

That's probably the best use of a TabletPC I've seen, yet. However, I felt
a bit...odd voicing my answers, in addition.

Most of the afternoon simulated instrument approaches ended in a
missed, too. However, the researcher did admit that those were
designed to have weather much lower than DH.

He never told *me* that. He only told me afterwards that I should have been
able to see the runway. Only once in the IMC runs was that the case and
when I did I was already in the midst of initiating a go-around.
Real-world, I'd've asked for another shot.

I stated that flying behind the synthetic vision display PFD during
instrument approaches was *very* nice.

No kidding, it was - especially after flying two hours almost solid IMC to
get there. The remains of what used to be Hurricane Ivan were moving up the
Applachians and a solid wall of Level 3-5 thunderstorms prevented me from
flying home that night. Flying home the next day was even *more* IMC than
the trip down. Boy was I wishing for that SVS PFD!

I did note that for VFR
flying, less was better and there should be a "declutter" option to
remove the terrain and obstacle information from the display on the
most complex PFD.

Yeah, that was my thought, too. He was a bit surprised by my rather quick
"Oh, yes I do!" when he asked if I had any thoughts on the SVS PFD in VFR
scenario. I had to keep reminding myself to look outside and stop trying to
fly the technically perfect approach. Real-world, that could be a b-a-d
situation.

He then asked me if I had any questions. Of the twenty subject pilots
before me, did any of them crash, I asked.

I never crashed, but I absolutely blew the hell out of the ILS-in-IMC
approach using round dials. I was tempted to request another shot, but was
able to (barely!) recover the approach. At one point, I'd've sworn I saw a
lightning flash. The strange thing was, I had to keep adding more and more
power (much more than previous runs) to maintain airspeed/altitude. Later I
found out that the "lightning" was actually the Aztec overtaking me in the
"pattern" due to my slow speed.

Nobody had an idea on the power situation and that was the only time it
occurred. He did mention the simulator sometimes has a "contol lock"-type
situation where it won't respond properly to control inputs.

Two pilots hit the hotels
on the base leg

It was very cool watching the "obstruction block" in the SVS PFD swing by
off my left wing when I couldn't see squat outside the window.

My contribution to this study was now over. As he was showing me the
door, the researcher suddenly stopped and looked at me, then said,
"Now that we are done, I have a confession to make." OH?

"The approach lights were purposely dimmed throughout this experiment
because we wanted to see if you, the instrument rated pilot, would dip
below minimums with this new technology. The FAA is very interested
to see if pilots would be tempted to do something unsafe when behind
these PFDs.

"Of the previous twenty pilots participating so far, only one other
pilot complained about the lack of approach lights and that pilot also
executed a missed at or above DH every flight where marginal
visibility was right at the DH."

Well that explains a lot! He also told me that I should have been able
to see the runway in all the IMC scenarios. My response was "That's fine,
but I'm not pushing MDA/DH in any of *my* flying - fancy PFD or not." I'm
now kinda glad that's on tape.

"Oh, one other question," the researcher stated. "Would you be
interested in coming back around March '05 to participate in the
second phase of this experiment, to be conducted while piloting
NASA's Cessna 206 equipped with these PFDs?" "You bet I would!" I
answered.

"Oh, hell yeah!"

Vid/pics of my trip there and back:
http://tknowlogy.com/TknoFlyer/flights.asp#040918

--
John T
http://tknowlogy.com/TknoFlyer
http://www.pocketgear.com/products_s...veloperid=4415
____________________

"John T" wrote in message
m...
"Oh, hell yeah!"

Vid/pics of my trip there and back:
http://tknowlogy.com/TknoFlyer/flights.asp#040918

--
John T
http://tknowlogy.com/TknoFlyer


Cool website!!

How do you mount your video camera? Or do you have someone in the backseat
with a really steady hand?

Jay Beckman
Chandler, AZ
PP-ASEL

"Jay Beckman" wrote in message
news:2WAdd.7321$SW3.1273@fed1read01

How do you mount your video camera? Or do you have someone in the
backseat with a really steady hand?

Thanks!

Here's the link describing how I typically set up the camera:
http://www.tknowlogy.com/TknoFlyer/CockpitVideo.htm

There are flights I've taken where passenger considerations - or just plain
forgetting the tripod - have dictated putting the camera on the dash (thank
goodness for image stabilization), but usually the camera is mounted on a
tripod with two legs on the floor and the camera raised to the ceiling for
stability.

--
John T
http://tknowlogy.com/TknoFlyer
http://www.pocketgear.com/products_s...veloperid=4415
____________________

"John T" wrote in message
m...
"Jay Beckman" wrote in message
news:2WAdd.7321$SW3.1273@fed1read01

How do you mount your video camera? Or do you have someone in the
backseat with a really steady hand?

Thanks!

Here's the link describing how I typically set up the camera:
http://www.tknowlogy.com/TknoFlyer/CockpitVideo.htm

There are flights I've taken where passenger considerations - or just
plain forgetting the tripod - have dictated putting the camera on the dash
(thank goodness for image stabilization), but usually the camera is
mounted on a tripod with two legs on the floor and the camera raised to
the ceiling for stability.

--
John T
http://tknowlogy.com/TknoFlyer
http://www.pocketgear.com/products_s...veloperid=4415
____________________



Outstanding!!

Thanks for the link with the pic. Very ingeneous..

Jay

When I want to take video I set the camera on the top of the panel on an
unused sponge. I have a couple of elastic straps that hold it securely
to the sponge. No image stabilization needed. I set the camera to the
landscape setting so it won't focus on the windshield, it focuses on
infinity. It is much easier with a camera with the swing out window. I
adjust the camera up and down in such a way that the engine cowl is just
barely showing on the bottom of the screen, camera fully zoomed out. I
also have an audio cable that goes from one of the headset jacks to the
cameras mic in jack. Works like a charm except for there being no
engine noise on the film. Works really cool when you put it on a DVD
with music in the background.



John T wrote:
"Jay Beckman" wrote in message
news:2WAdd.7321$SW3.1273@fed1read01

How do you mount your video camera? Or do you have someone in the
backseat with a really steady hand?


Thanks!

Here's the link describing how I typically set up the camera:
http://www.tknowlogy.com/TknoFlyer/CockpitVideo.htm

There are flights I've taken where passenger considerations - or just plain
forgetting the tripod - have dictated putting the camera on the dash (thank
goodness for image stabilization), but usually the camera is mounted on a
tripod with two legs on the floor and the camera raised to the ceiling for
stability.

"Newps" wrote in message
...
When I want to take video I set the camera on the top of the panel on an
unused sponge. I have a couple of elastic straps that hold it securely to
the sponge. No image stabilization needed. I set the camera to the
landscape setting so it won't focus on the windshield, it focuses on
infinity. It is much easier with a camera with the swing out window. I
adjust the camera up and down in such a way that the engine cowl is just
barely showing on the bottom of the screen, camera fully zoomed out. I
also have an audio cable that goes from one of the headset jacks to the
cameras mic in jack. Works like a charm except for there being no engine
noise on the film. Works really cool when you put it on a DVD with music
in the background.


Newps,

Forgive me for asking a "noob" kind of question but,

Is it legal to create home-made camera mounts? Does it make a difference if
you do it like you or John do it (where it's inside the cabin...) and don't
try to duct tape it to the strut? (Yes, I'm exagerating here...)

I know that STC'd pods and mounts are really expensive, combersome, etc.
But as much as I'd love to (eventually) shoot some of my flying experiences,
I'd be more scared of getting busted for "jerry-rigging" something if Mr.
FAA were to stop by for a chat.

What's the "official" word on this?

Thanks,

Jay Beckman
Chandler, AZ
PP-ASEL
Still nowhere to go but up!

Jay Beckman wrote:




Newps,

Forgive me for asking a "noob" kind of question but,

Is it legal to create home-made camera mounts?

First off I don't care what the Feds might think, it's a portable deal.
Second look at Lowry's setup. The Feds would have a conniption fit
with that setup before they worry about mine. Get in any kind of
accident and you have flying camera parts. Not good.


Does it make a difference if
you do it like you or John do it (where it's inside the cabin...) and don't
try to duct tape it to the strut? (Yes, I'm exagerating here...)

His is dangerous, mine ain't. Also and more importantly I only want the
video to be of outside the plane. To get a good look at the panel and
also of whatever is outside is extremely difficult for the camera.
That's a shot with lots of backlighting.


I know that STC'd pods and mounts are really expensive, combersome, etc.
But as much as I'd love to (eventually) shoot some of my flying experiences,
I'd be more scared of getting busted for "jerry-rigging" something if Mr.
FAA were to stop by for a chat.

I wouldn't worry about it.

"Newps" wrote in message


His is dangerous, mine ain't.

Lowry's? Or duct tape?

Also and more importantly I only want
the video to be of outside the plane. To get a good look at the
panel and also of whatever is outside is extremely difficult for the
camera. That's a shot with lots of backlighting.

Yeah, contrast is a problem, but the times I've wanted panel-only shots I've
engaged the "backlight" feature of my camera. "Whites out" everything in
the background (in daylight, of course), but the panel comes in nicely.

--
John T
http://tknowlogy.com/TknoFlyer
http://www.pocketgear.com/products_s...veloperid=4415
____________________

Newps wrote:

When I want to take video I set the camera on the top of the panel on
an unused sponge. I have a couple of elastic straps that hold it
securely to the sponge. No image stabilization needed. I set the
camera to the landscape setting so it won't focus on the windshield,
it focuses on infinity. It is much easier with a camera with the
swing out window. I adjust the camera up and down in such a way that
the engine cowl is just barely showing on the bottom of the screen,
camera fully zoomed out. I also have an audio cable that goes from
one of the headset jacks to the cameras mic in jack. Works like a
charm except for there being no engine noise on the film. Works
really cool when you put it on a DVD with music in the background.

Yeah, definitely set the focus to manual/infinity. My camera has image
stabilization built-in (I don't even know if you can turn it off), but the
padded dash on our C182 absorbs much of the engine vibration. Even so, I'm
not sure how good the video would be without the IS. I use a portable
intercom that has an audio out jack for cockpit audio. I've heard of folks
having no problems going directly from the intercom system into the camera,
but since I already had the portable, I've not bothered trying the direct
link, yet.

Your idea of music in the background is cool, too. Check this out:
http://tknowlogy.com/TknoFlyer/flights.asp#040509

"040509 Highlights"



--
John T
http://tknowlogy.com/TknoFlyer
http://www.pocketgear.com/products_s...veloperid=4415
____________________

On Thu, 21 Oct 2004 10:11:53 -0400, "John T" wrote:


"040509 Highlights"


Who sings the first song? Center of the Sun I would think is the name
of it. Really cool tune to put with the vid!

Thanks for the link.

z