Development of Multisensory Orientation Technology for Reducing Spatial Disorientation Mishaps

Abstract

The Air Force regards Spatial Disorientation (SD) and loss of situational awareness (SA) as contributing factors in operational Class A ($1 M in aircraft loss and/or pilot fatality) aircraft mishaps. Multisensory systems have been developed to enhance the aircraft altitude information to the pilot. The systems incorporate multisensory aids including helmet-mounted symbology and tactile and audio cues. Two systems have been prototyped and demonstrated in the Air Force Research Laboratory. The technology could have application in the rotary-wing brownout program. This paper discusses the development of two systems and a potential application including an augmented cognition application. Unlike automatic ground collision avoidance systems, these systems do not take over the aircraft if a pre-set altitude is broached by the pilot; rather, these multisensory systems provide complementary attitude cues to the pilot via the tactile, audio. and visual systems that allow the pilot to continue flying through disorienting conditions.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 2006
Accession Number
ADA467411

Entities

People

  • William B. Albery

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Aircrafts
  • Altitude
  • Attitude Indicators
  • Collision Avoidance
  • Contracts
  • Control Systems
  • Fixed Wing Aircraft
  • Flight Instruments
  • Human-Machine Interaction
  • Military Pilots
  • Military Research
  • Orientation (Direction)
  • Simulators
  • Situational Awareness
  • Three Dimensional

Readers

  • Aviation Safety Risk Assessment.
  • Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).
  • Team-Based Human-Centered Cognitive Task Decision Making and Information Performance.