Pilot Reactions to Optical Defects Found in F-111 Bird Impact Resistant Windscreens.
Abstract
A field study was conducted to assess the scope and severity of mission-related optical problems associated with the new F-111 Bird Impact Resistant Transparency (BIRT) windscreen. Data for this study was gathered from an 81-item questionnaire and used to scale the opinions of 33 USAFE pilots. Principal findings indicate that: (1) Distortion is perceived as the most disruptive optical factor followed in order by multiple images, haze and rainbowing. (2) The worst combination of optical defect and flight task is multiple images during night approach and landing. (3) The extent to which BIRT optical problems are perceived as impairing mission performance is sufficiently great to further justify research for improving windscreen optical quality. (4) Pilots with very limited amounts of BIRT flying time (20-80 hours) are less likely to perceive windscreen optical problems than a middle experience group (with 100 to 180 flying hours). This difference is attributed to a lack of exposure to the optical effects; and (5) Pilots with relatively extensive BIRT flying experience (over 200 hours) are also less prone to perceive windscreen problems than the middle experience group. This difference is attributed to the effect of a period of adjustment to the optical anomalies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA093937
Entities
People
- Robert G. Eggleston
- Shelton Macleod
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory