ANALYSIS OF THE USEFULNESS OF CODED INFORMATION IN VISUAL COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Abstract
Various kinds of coded information which might be used to prevent mid-air collisions in visual flight were investigated. Sector coding (azimuthal aspect) was the only type of coding hitherto used or proposed. Analysis suggests that such coding was of much less value as a means of avoiding mid-air collisions than was supposed. A non-coded technique which many pilots used is the fixity-of-bearing criterion. It does permit more exact distinction between collision threats and non-threats, but was applicable only when both aircraft were flying straight, constant-speed courses. The limits of decision time were impossible in some cases. When closing speeds are high and when required pick-up ranges are large its usefulness was limited. These limitations, together with the inherent imprecision of the technique, result in considerable uncertainty in the use of the fixity-of-bearing criterion. Only altitude coding appears to offer a likelihood of improving a pilot's ability to distinguish threats from nonthreats. The particular advantages are discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0259765
Entities
People
- John E. Jr. Robinson
- Theodore H. Projector