A New Method for Measuring the Transmissivity of Aircraft Transparencies

Abstract

Transmissivity is a measurement of the relative amount of light transmitted through a part. It is an important optical parameter for aircraft transparencies, since it determines the apparent brightness of the objects observed outside the cockpit. Because visual parameters such as acuity, contrast threshold, and color perception vary with brightness at low luminance values, transmissivity can have a direct effect on vision. The transmissivity of aircraft transparencies is currently measured following the American Standard for Testing and Materials Test Method D-1003. This method, originally intended for the measurement of small, thin, flat parts, has several shortcomings for measuring aircraft transparencies. A new method for measuring transmissivity, which overcomes the shortcomings of D-1003, is described. The precision of both methods was determined in laboratory tests; the results of these tests are presented. The new test method, in addition to its application advantages, is slightly more precise than ASTM D-1003. Keywords: Windscreens, Windshields, Canopy.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADA216953

Entities

People

  • Harold S. Merkel
  • Harry L. Task

Organizations

  • Armstrong Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Biomedical Research
  • Classification
  • Coefficients
  • Detectors
  • Engineering
  • Equations
  • Human Factors Engineering
  • Light Sources
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Precision
  • Security
  • Standards
  • Test Methods
  • Transmissivity

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Vision Science/Vision Psychology/Cognitive Neuroscience.