GEOGRAPHIC ORIENTATION IN AIRCRAFT PILOTS: A RESEARCH METHOD,
Abstract
A methodological experiment was conducted using 24 pilots as experimental subjects. After a briefing, a chart study period, and a practice run, the subject attempted to maintain geographic orientation while sitting in the cockpit viewing one of the motion pictures. The experimental task required the subject to draw his ground track on an aeronautical chart, and upon periodic demand to indicate his exact navigational position. Each subject performed the task twice, a different flight route being used each time. The subjects were divided into three groups of eight. One group was given no navigational information other than the visual cues in the motion picture scene; the second group was given speed and elapsed time information; and the third group was given speed, time, and heading information to supplement the visual information. The results showed that individual differences in orientation performance were very large and performance scores were markedly skewed. There were no statistically significant differences between the performances of the three groups of subjects; there was no significant difference between performances on the two different routes, and no evidence of a practice effect.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0605893
Entities
People
- Gail J. Borden
- James J. Mcgrath