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Operator Performance Laboratory

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The Operator Performance Laboratory (OPL) is a world-renowned flight test laboratory that conducts research on human-in-the-loop and intelligent autonomous systems to increase efficiency, inter-operability, and safety. The lab has been in operation for 21 years with 2,400 hours of flight test and 305-plus projects. OPL has 11 instrumented aircraft (six manned, five unmanned) and six flight simulators. Systems of particular interest include flight decks, airborne sensor systems, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems, and automotive user interface systems. Six full-time researchers, four graduate students, four undergraduate students and seven part time employees support OPL. 

Main capabilities include: 

  • Labs, shops, hangars, tooling, fixtures, instrumentation
  • Current USAF/AFRL Public Aircraft Operations (PAO)
  • Flight Test process for DoDD 5030.61/AWB-340 and GFR
  • Experienced flight testers and human factors professionals
  • Cognitive Assessment Tool Set (CATS)
  • Flying many physiological episode assessment sensors such as ECG, EEG, GSR, SpO2, respiration, temp, air quality, physiological shirts, eye tracking

Recent News

University of Iowa Spirit Squad at OPL

OPL's Mi-2 helicopters and L-29 jet win in Iowa DOT photo contest

Monday, December 21, 2020
University of Iowa Technology Institute
An in flight photograph of one of the Operator Performance Lab's (OPL) Mi-2 helicopters earned first place in the helicopter category of the Iowa Department of Transportation's biennial Iowa Aviation photo contest for 2019-2020. 
OPL L-29 Delfin carrying pod

Schnell, OPL support Collins Aerospace in testing combat training system

Friday, December 11, 2020
University of Iowa Technology Institute
The Operator Performance Lab (OPL) was selected as the flight test center for initial testing of a program called the Tactical Combat Training System II (TCTS II), a military training tool that includes Collins Aerospace Joint Secure Air Combat System (JSAS) technology.
View more news

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Mi-2 Brochure

OPL tech sheets

Tom Schnell

Director: Tom "MACH" Schnell, professor of industrial and systems engineering

Phone: (319) 384-0811

Email: thomas-schnell@uiowa.edu

Mission Areas: Aerospace Technology, Systems and Sensors

People: Meet the OPL Team 

OPL brochure cover

Download the OPL overview brochure

Screenshot of OPL website

Visit the OPL website

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