Triggering and detection of pilot-induced oscillations in boundary avoidance-tracking tasks

Pilot-induced oscillation (PIO) represents a critical human factor contributing to rotorcraft accidents. Its triggering mechanism is intrinsically linked to the dynamic characteristics of the rotorcraft-pilot coupling (RPC) system. An innovative multi-task flight simulation experimental platform was constructed based on the boundary avoidance-tracking (BAT) theoretical model. The impacts of two important triggering factors—input configuration and border difficulty—on task performance and the PIO phenomenon were methodically examined using parametric control. Experimental results demonstrate that the designed triggering parameters effectively induced behavioral changes in subjects, thereby affecting their task performance and PIO characteristic responses. Additionally, compared to conventional techniques like the phase-aggression criteria (PAC) method and the Klyde’s wavelet transform approach, the improved power-preserving wavelet transform (PPWT) detection method suggested in this study shown better recognition performance. This research refines the PIO research paradigm under the BAT task framework. The proposed “trigger-detection” experimental approach and methodology provide a novel technological pathway for investigating RPC phenomena.