Evaluation of a Pilot Workload Assessment Device to Test Alternate Display Formats and Control Handling Qualities
Abstract
This in-flight research project evaluated the utility of a Workload Assessment Device (WAD) to measure pilot workload for approach and landing tasks under simulated instrument meteorological conditions, alternate HUD formats and control stability variations. The flight tests were conducted in an NT-33A research aircraft, extensively modified for the Air Force and Navy by the Display Evaluation Flight Test program. The hardware, software, and test procedures associated with the WAD functioned efficiently with only minor discrepancies and minimum pilot distraction. The project established the feasibility of using an item-recognition task as a measure of sensory-response loading and reserve information processing capacity while flying precision approaches. In a descriptive statistical treatment of the data, the results indicate an appreciable increase in reaction time and errors with degraded handling qualities as compared to ground baseline measures and good handling qualities. The preliminary findings also reveal consistent trends toward the availability of more mental reserve capacity when flying predominantly pictorial/symbolic HUD configurations as compared to conventional HUD formats with scales and alphanumerics. It is recommended that further evaluations be conducted to establish the efficacy of utilizing the WAD to measure mental workload in a wide variety of aircrew tasks.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 07, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA087604
Entities
People
- S. G. Schiflett
Organizations
- Naval Air Station Patuxent River