NRC acquires Aerobatic Aircraft for aerospace physiology research

Citation

(2008), "NRC acquires Aerobatic Aircraft for aerospace physiology research", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 80 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2008.12780fab.024

NRC acquires Aerobatic Aircraft for aerospace physiology research

Article Type: News and views From: Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, Volume 80, Issue 6

The NRC announce the acquisition of an Extra 300 aircraft as a platform for aeromedical research at its Flight Research Laboratory (Figure 2). They chose the aircraft for its proven aerobatic performance, easy handling and dependable stability.

Figure 2 Extra 300 in the NRC-IAR Flight Research Laboratory Hangar

“Aeromedicine is an increasingly important field in flight research,” says Stewart Baillie, Director of the Flight Research Laboratory at the NRC Institute for Aerospace Research (NRC-IAR). “Using the Extra, we intend to look at the physiological and psychological effects of flight in high-performance aircraft, which are largely unexplored at sustained accelerations above 4 g.”

The “cognitive cockpit” is another potential area for research, which would focus on designing an adaptive cockpit that provides the pilot with information as it is required in changing situations. This research will involve neuroimaging techniques to “read the pilot’s mind” in the flight environment, based on the timing, intensity and location of brain activity.

With room for a pilot and a safety pilot, the Extra 300 can do ±10 g (depending on the weight of the research instrumentation) with full aerobatic agility. The Extra is also expected to be less expensive to operate compared with other aircraft in the NRC fleet, making it suitable for supplemental use in supporting general aviation research, training and evaluation.

Designed by Germany’s Walter Extra for aerobatic instruction and display, the Extra 300 has a six-cylinder, 300 hp engine. Its fuselage and wing structures are manufactured with carbon composite materials to minimize weight and maximize strength for withstanding high-g manoeuvres