Use of a Monocular Head-Worn Display in Lieu of a Head-Up Display for Commercial Aircraft Approach and Landing With an Enhanced Flight Vision System: Considerations for Safety and Usability

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine whether pilot performance, workload, and usability during low-visibility approaches and landings differed depending on whether pilots flew with a HUD or a monocular HWD, as well as whether they flew with or without an Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS). Eleven Part 121 flight crews flew SA CAT I approach and landing scenarios using a HUD and a monocular HWD with and without an EFVS in a Boeing 737 Level D-equivalent simulator. Findings suggest that a monocular HWD may not have a significant impact on a pilot’s ability to manage the flightpath during a routine SA CAT I operation with or without an EFVS; however, the monocular HWD elevated pilot workload. Pilots reported that the EFVS enhanced their awareness of the runway environment when transitioning from instrument to visual flight references; however, it was reported to interfere with natural runway visibility when transitioning to landing.

Keywords

advanced vision systems augmented reality extended reality low visibility flight operations manual flight operations equivalent visual operations touchdown dispersion flight technical error

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References

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E. T.

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T. C.

Shahini

DiDomenica

Choi

Weaver

(in press). Use of a monocular and binocular head-worn display in lieu of a head-up display for approach, landing, and rollout: Human factors evaluation of pilot performance and workload. Federal Aviation Administration.