The Effects of a Novel Head-Mounted Symbology on Spatial Disorientation and Flight Performance in U.S. Air Force Pilots
Abstract
Spatial disorientation (SD) has accounted for about 25% of all Class A mishaps in the U.S. Air Force over the past several decades, with over 40% of fatal mishaps attributed to SD. One way to counter SD is by improving attitude awareness (pitch and roll) and overall spatial orientation through improved primary flight displays. One such display, the X-Motion Device(Trademark) (XMD), is a see-through device resembling standard eyewear but with a head-tracker and dual-axis symbology. The purpose of the present study was to compare flight performance, SD conflict perception, and workload in those sorties in which pilots were presented with XMD symbology versus those in which they were not to determine any advantages or disadvantages that may accrue from the XMD symbology. We also assessed the subjective opinions of pilots regarding the X-motion symbology by means of a 13-question survey. Tests were conducted in the gyroflight sustained operations simulator, a four-axis flight simulator with additional SD-producing capabilities. Each participant had a single-day training session and a testing regimen carried out over 2 days. Overall, the XMD symbology had a slight negative effect on overall flight performance, no effect on SD conflict perception and susceptibility, and a slight benefit for attitude awareness based on subjective ratings by our 10 pilots. Based on the results of this study, the current iteration of the XMD symbology is not beneficial to flight performance and may actually limit scanning of primary flight instruments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 24, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA570632
Entities
People
- Fred H. Previc
- Joseph Fischer
- Nathan A. Dillon
- Rick H. Evans
- Ryan Maresh
- William R. Ercoline
Organizations
- United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine