Assessment of Pilot Performance Using a Moving Horizon (Inside-Out), a Moving Aircraft (Outside-In), and an Arc-Segmented Attitude Reference Display
Abstract
Flight symbology offers one of the primary countermeasures that can help prevent and alleviate spatial disorientation. As new helmet-mounted displays (HMDs) are being created, we must develop more effective methods of supplying the pitch and bank information to the pilot. While most flyers have long used the inside-out attitude indicator, or a moving horizon (MH) display, many studies have shown that an outside-in display, or a moving airplane (MP), is more intuitive. However, a recent study at Brooks Air Force Base suggests that a new symbology called the arc-segmented attitude reference display (ASAR) produces even better performance and a faster learning curve than either the MH or MP. If found to be operationally relevant, the ASAR should be considered as a likely candidate for HMD flight symbology. Students in an introductory flight course at the US Air Force Academy were tested on three different display symbologies, the MH, MP, and the ASAR. The displays were presented on a 17-inch color monitor. The experimental sequence was: (1) practice free flight, daytime scene (2) perturbed flight, nighttime scene, (3) practice unusual attitude recoveries (UARs), nighttime scene and (4) test UARs, nighttime scene. During the UARs, subjects were instructed to first roll the aircraft to level the wings, then recover to straight and level flight as quickly as possible. Six different parameters were analyzed during the study: RMS error in roll and pitch during perturbed flight; time to initial stick input in roll and pitch during the UARs; time to straight and level flight during the UARs; and finally, the number of roll reversal errors during the test UARs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADP013872
Entities
People
- Brent Feldt
- Brian P. Self
- Carlene Perry
- Maggie Breun
- William R. Ercoline
Organizations
- United States Air Force Academy