Evaluation of a Pilot Workload Assessment Device to Test Alternate Display Formats and Control Handling Qualities,
Abstract
This in-flight research project evaluated the utility of a Workload Assessment Device (WAD) to measure pilot workload for approach and landing tasks under simulated instrument meteorological conditions, alternate HUD formats and control stability variations. The hardware software, and test procedures associated with the WAD functioned efficiently with only minor discrepancies and minimum pilot distraction. The project established the feasibility of using an item-recognition task as a measure of sensory-response loading and reserve information processing capacity while flying precision approaches. In a descriptive statistical treatment of the data, the results indicate an appreciable increase in reaction time and errors with degraded handling qualities as compared to ground baseline measures and good handling qualities. The preliminary findings also reveal consistent trends toward the availability of more mental reserve capacity when flying predominantly pictorial/symbolic HUD configurations as compared to conventional HUD formats with scales and alphanumerics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADP001138
Entities
People
- Paul M. Linton
- Ronald J. Spicuzza
- Samuel G. Schiflett
Organizations
- Naval Air Station Patuxent River