Human Factors Engineering #2 Crewstation Assessment for the OH-58F Helicopter
Abstract
An assessment was conducted to identify design characteristics of the OH-58F crewstation that enhanced or degraded pilot performance. The following were assessed in an OH-58F simulator: Aircrew workload, aircrew situation awareness, the crewstation interface, visual gaze and dwell times (using a head and eye tracker), the audio alerting system, and the potential for pilot simulator sickness. Pilots flew missions based on a battlefield environment simulating southwest Asia. Each successive mission increased in difficulty in order to impose progressively greater workload on the pilots. Pilots reported that the workload was manageable for the tasks they performed during the missions. The overall workload ratings provided by the pilots and subject matter experts (SMEs) were lower than the Objective and Threshold workload rating requirements listed in the OH-58F Capability Development Document. The pilots reported that they had moderate levels of situation awareness during the missions. They commented that the crewstation design aided them in conducting navigation, communication, and reconnaissance tasks. The pilots recommended minor design changes be made to the crewstation to enhance usability. The assessment is part of the continuous evaluation process to develop and refine the crewstation design. This process includes human factors modeling, simulation, developmental and operational testing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA575403
Entities
People
- Brad M. Davis
- David B. Durbin
- Jamison S. Hicks
- Mary C. King
- Michael S. Jessee
Organizations
- United States Army Research Laboratory